KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 — Malaysia’s total trade in May 2026 rose by 29.8 per cent year-on-year to RM327.6 billion from RM252.5 billion a year ago, driven by stronger growth in both exports and imports, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) said.

It said Malaysia’s exports grew 45.3 per cent valued at RM184.0 billion, and imports rose 14.1 per cent amounting to RM143.6 billion, while trade surplus surged by 5,214.0 per cent to RM40.4 billion in the month reviewed.

Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the growth in exports was supported by the increases in both re-exports and domestic exports. 

“Re-exports, which accounted for 22.2 per cent of total exports, rose by 58.4 per cent year-on-year to RM40.9 billion. Domestic exports, which contributed 77.8 per cent to total exports, expanded by 42.0 per cent to RM143.1 billion,” he said in a statement in conjunction with the release of Malaysia External Trade Statistics for May 2026, today.

Correspondingly, imports increased 14.1 per cent to RM143.6 billion, while the trade surplus increased by 5,214.0 per cent to RM40.4 billion, marking the 73rd consecutive month of surplus since May 2020.

Compared with April 2026, exports and trade surplus grew by 0.4 per cent and 38.2 per cent, respectively, while imports and total trade decreased 6.8 per cent and 2.9 per cent, respectively, he said.

Mohd Uzir said total trade, exports and imports for the January to May 2026 period registered an improvement. 

Total trade posted a double-digit increase of 18.3 per cent, from RM1.2 trillion to RM1.5 trillion, in line with the rise in exports (24.3 per cent) as well as imports (11.8 per cent). 

Moreover, trade surplus expanded by 182.9 per cent to post a value of RM132.8 billion. 

“During the first five months of 2026, Malaysia recorded its highest cumulative trade value (exports and imports) of RM1.5 trillion, surpassing the total trade value of RM1.4 trillion recorded for the entire of 2014, 12 years ago,” said the chief statistician.

From the perspective of commodity groups, 111 out of 260 export groups and 132 out of 258 import groups posted gains compared to the same month of the previous year.

Mohd Uzir said the rise in exports was primarily underpinned by increased shipments to the United States (RM18.3 billion), followed by Singapore (RM7.4 billion), Hong Kong (RM6.8 billion), Taiwan (RM6.2 billion), European Union (EU) (RM4.7 billion), China (RM4.2 billion), and Mexico (RM1.9 billion). 

The import rise largely reflected higher inflows originating from China (RM11.3 billion), followed by Singapore (RM5.6 billion), Taiwan (RM3.7 billion), Thailand (RM1.4 billion), EU (RM1.4 billion), Vietnam (RM1.1 billion), and Japan (RM943.4 million).

Exports growth was anchored by heightened shipments of electrical and electronic (E&E) products (RM37.9 billion), other manufactures (RM10.3 billion), petroleum products (RM6.0 billion), liquefied natural gas (LNG) (RM2.7 billion), optical and scientific equipment (RM2.3 billion) and machinery, equipment and parts (RM990.5 million). 

Concurrently, imports corresponded with stronger inflows of E&E products (RM11.6 billion), petroleum products (RM3.0 billion), other manufacturing (RM2.2 billion), machinery, equipment and parts (RM1.3 billion), chemical and chemical products (RM985.8 million), and optical and scientific equipment (RM750.1 million).

Mohd Uzir noted that the increase in imports by End Use was in accordance with higher demand for intermediate goods. Imports of intermediate goods, which accounted for 51.9 per cent of total imports, increased by 14.4 per cent or RM9.4 billion to reach RM74.5 billion. 

However, imports of capital goods (12.9 per cent of total imports) fell by 18.3 per cent or RM4.2 billion, settling at RM18.5 billion, whereas imports of consumption goods (6.8 per cent of total imports) declined by 2.7 per cent or RM274.2 million, amounting to RM9.8 billion compared with May 2025. 

Geopolitical tensions in West Asia have affected the import of several consumer goods, particularly clothing and clothing accessories, handbags and luggage, and wooden and rattan furniture. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, June 19 — Malaysia’s trade performance shattered previous records in May, as a surge in demand for artificial intelligence (AI) and automotive technologies propelled exports to an all-time monthly high.

Data released by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) reveals that total trade jumped 29.8 per cent year-on-year to RM327.63 billion. This represents the fastest pace of growth in 44 months.

Exports were the primary driver, climbing 45.3 per cent to a record RM184 billion, eclipsing the previous high set in April. This milestone marks the 11th consecutive month of export expansion and the strongest growth rate seen since August 2022.

While imports grew at a more moderate 14.1 per cent to RM143.62 billion, the gap between the two pushed the trade surplus to a historic peak of RM40.38 billion. This extends Malaysia’s unbroken streak of trade surpluses to 73 consecutive months, dating back to May 2020.

The growth was anchored by manufactured and mining products, with electrical and electronic (E&E) products emerging as the standout performer. The sector added RM38 billion to the total, hitting a new record high fuelled by the global appetite for AI-related technologies and automotive components.

Petroleum products, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and optical and scientific equipment also contributed significantly to the gains.

Global reach and market expansion

Malaysia’s export momentum was widespread across its major trading partners. Asean, China, the United States, Taiwan, and the European Union all recorded strong double-digit growth, with exports to Taiwan and the EU hitting fresh record highs.

The country’s network of free trade agreements also opened new doors, boosting exports to markets including Mexico, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Pakistan across a diverse range of products.

The strength of the E&E sector is further evidenced by the performance from January to May 2026. During this period, total trade rose 18.3 per cent year-on-year to RM1.455 trillion.

Exports increased 24.3 per cent to RM793.84 billion, while imports grew 11.8 per cent to RM661.07 billion, resulting in a massive trade surplus of RM132.77 billion. Across the board, trade, exports, imports, and the surplus all reached historic highs for the first five months of the year.

Despite heightened uncertainty in global trade, Miti noted that Malaysia’s trade sector has remained remarkably resilient, with E&E products continuing to anchor the economy.