Government, International Trade

66th Month of Trade Surplus in October 2025, with Manufacturing Exports Expanding 15.7% y-o-y to RM126.68 Billion, a Record High

OCTOBER 2025 EXPORTS EXPANDED 15.7% Y-O-Y, HIGHEST ON RECORD AS E&E BOOSTED EXPORT GROWTH .

KUALA LUMPUR, 19 NOVEMBER 2025 – Malaysia’s trade performance in October 2025 rose significantly, as trade, exports and imports climbed to record levels.

Total trade expanded by 13.6% year-on-year (y-o-y) to RM277.65 billion. Exports climbed for the fourth consecutive month, increasing by 15.7% to RM148.32 billion, while imports grew by 11.2% to RM129.33 billion. This resulted in a trade surplus of RM18.99 billion, the 66th consecutive month of surplus since May 2020.

All major sectors recorded growth in exports, with the manufacturing sector as the main driver, up by 15.7% y-o-y to achieve a record value of RM126.68 billion. Robust demands were recorded for electrical and electronic (E&E) products as well as optical and scientific equipment, both of which also registered their highest export values to date. The mining sector sustained its positive trajectory for the second consecutive month, driven by higher exports of metalliferous ores and metal scrap. Meanwhile, the agriculture sector posted steady growth, led by strong exports of palm oil and palm oil– based agriculture products.

Malaysia also recorded higher exports across major trading partners, including ASEAN, China, the European Union (EU) and Taiwan. Exports to Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partners continued to gain momentum, with notable increases in exports to Hong Kong SAR, Mexico, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Australia, Pakistan, Canada, Peru and the United Kingdom (UK). Notably, exports to Taiwan and Hong Kong SAR reached new record highs.

For the period of January to October 2025, Malaysia recorded its highest cumulative ten-month values for trade, exports and imports. Trade rose 5.4% y-o-y to RM2.512 trillion, driven by a 6.0% rise in exports to RM1.319 trillion and a 4.7% increase in imports to RM1.194 trillion. Trade surplus of RM125.02 billion was recorded for the period.

Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 5.2% in the third quarter of 2025, up from 4.4% in the previous quarter, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). This performance underscores the country’s continued resilience amid global trade uncertainties and ongoing tariff pressures.

MITI and MATRADE remain steadfast in supporting Malaysian exporters amid external pressures, encouraging businesses to pursue market diversification, strengthen supply chain resilience, monitor global trade shifts and leverage Malaysia’s 18 Free Trade Agreements to expand globally.

The Malaysia-United Arab Emirates (UAE) Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which came into force on 1 October 2025, is also set to help Malaysian exporters leverage the UAE as a strategic gateway into West Asia and beyond.

Further details of Malaysia’s Trade Performance for October 2025 and January October 2025 are available in the MATRADE.

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