FX.co ★ Malaysia Trade Surplus Largest in 6 Months

In September 2025, Malaysia recorded a significant increase in its trade surplus, which reached MYR 19.9 billion compared to MYR 12.8 billion in the corresponding month of the previous year. This figure surpassed market forecasts of MYR 16.8 billion, marking the largest trade surplus observed since March. This surplus was primarily driven by exports outpacing imports. Specifically, exports climbed by 12.2% year-over-year to MYR 138.7 billion, after a revised 1.7% increase in August, substantially exceeding the anticipated 3.5% growth and representing the most rapid expansion in five months. The surge in exports was attributed to gains in manufacturing (12.5%), agriculture (6.5%), and mining sectors (4.3%). Key markets for these increased exports included the United States (24.4%), Singapore (28.0%), and China (2.9%). On the import side, there was a 7.3% year-on-year rise to MYR 118.8 billion, which outstripped the expected 1.4% growth, driven by higher purchases of consumption goods (5.1%) and capital goods (9.3%). Conversely, imports of intermediate goods declined by 7.6%.