Total trade surpassed the RM3 trillion mark for the first time, amounting to RM3.061 trillion, reflecting a 6.3% year-on-year increase. Exports exceeded RM1 trillion for the fifth consecutive year, rising 6.5% to the highest ever recorded value of RM1.607 trillion, while imports grew by 6.2% to RM1.455 trillion. This performance resulted in a trade surplus of RM151.80 billion, marking the 28th consecutive year of surplus since 1998.
Export growth was underpinned by high shipments to traditional trading partners, including ASEAN, the United States, Taiwan, and the European Union, reflecting Malaysia’s strong integration into high-value, technology-driven global supply chains. This performance was achieved despite rising global uncertainties, including geopolitical tensions, supply chain realignments, and increasing risks of protectionism. Exports to the People’s Republic of China expanded at a more moderate pace.
Malaysia’s extensive network of Free Trade Agreements, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, continued to facilitate market access, diversify export destinations, and mitigate trade risks. Leveraging these agreements, exports remained on an upward trend, with Hong Kong SAR, Mexico, and Canada recording new highs, supported by broad-based growth across a wide range of products.
Export diversification strategies targeting emerging markets further supported growth, particularly to Nigeria, Tanzania, Togo, Angola, Yemen, Morocco, Uzbekistan, Puerto Rico, Kyrgyzstan, Kenya, and Algeria, highlighting Malaysia’s success in tapping new potential markets beyond its traditional trading partners.
From a sectoral perspective, manufactured goods recorded their highest value to date and remained the key driver of Malaysia’s historical export growth. This was led by electrical and electronic products, machinery, equipment, and parts, as well as optical and scientific equipment, all of which also reached record highs. Strong export performance was further supported by the agriculture sector, driven primarily by palm oil and palm oil-based agricultural products.
Malaysia’s strong performance was also reflected in its improved global standing, with the International Institute for Management Development ranking the country 23rd in the World Competitiveness Ranking 2025, up from 34th in 2024, highlighting progress in economic recovery, reforms, and overall competitiveness.
Overall, Malaysia’s strong trade, export, and import performance in 2025 underscored the importance of continued policy support and strategic export promotion under strong stewardship by MITI and MATRADE. These efforts were reinforced by initiatives under the Twelfth Malaysia Plan, the National Trade Blueprint, and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, ensuring sustained trade momentum and resilient growth amid evolving global challenges.
