MALAYSIA’S external trade continued its upward momentum in November 2025, registering an 11.1% year-on-year increase to RM263.83 billion, according to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).
Exports climbed 7.0% to RM134.97 billion, while imports rose 15.8% to RM128.86 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of RM6.12 billion.
This marks the 67th consecutive month of trade surplus since May 2020.
Exports of electrical and electronic (E&E) products were the primary driver of growth, rising by nearly RM8.0 billion in line with a positive global semiconductor outlook.
World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) recently revised its projection for global semiconductor sales growth to 22.5% in 2025, up from the previous forecast of 15.4%.
Other key contributors included optical and scientific equipment as well as metalliferous ores and metal scrap, highlighting broad-based strength across multiple sectors.
Malaysia’s major trading partners also recorded higher imports from the country. Exports to ASEAN, China, the European Union, and Taiwan all rose, while trade with Free Trade Agreement partners, including Hong Kong SAR, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, India, the United Kingdom, Chile, and Peru, showed strong growth. Exports to Taiwan reached a record high.
For the period of January to November 2025, Malaysia achieved its highest cumulative trade values on record, with trade rising 5.8% to RM2.775 trillion, exports up 6.1% to RM1.454 trillion, and imports increasing 5.6% to RM1.321 trillion, resulting in a trade surplus of RM132.56 billion.
MITI highlighted that Timor-Leste’s recent accession to ASEAN is expected to further strengthen regional trade integration, broaden economic opportunities, and expand market access for Malaysian businesses.
“Malaysian companies are encouraged to fully utilise the support and assistance available to expand their global reach, grow, and remain competitive internationally,” the ministry stated on Friday.
Manufactured goods, comprising 85.9% of total exports, grew 7.9% year-on-year to RM115.89 billion in November, led by higher shipments of E&E products, optical and scientific equipment, palm oil-based manufactured products, and metal manufactures.
Exports of agricultural products declined by 6.0% to RM8.94 billion, largely due to reduced palm oil volumes and prices, while mining goods expanded 9.9% to RM8.89 billion, driven by metalliferous ores, petroleum condensates, and crude petroleum.
Key exports in November included E&E products valued at RM58.79 billion (up 15.0%), petroleum products at RM9.01 billion (up 1.5%), palm oil-based products at RM6.67 billion (down 9.3%), machinery and equipment at RM6.53 billion (up 5.2%), and optical and scientific equipment at RM6.15 billion (up 33.8%).
Trade with ASEAN rose 1.4% year-on-year to RM60.95 billion, supported by higher exports of petroleum and E&E products, while trade with China surged 24.5% to RM51.29 billion.
Exports to the United States and the European Union remained strong, with the EU showing double-digit export growth for the tenth consecutive month.
Trade with Taiwan achieved a record export value of RM9.15 billion in November, reflecting robust shipments of E&E and optical products.
Imports in November increased 15.8% to RM128.86 billion, largely driven by intermediate goods (up 5.0%) and capital goods (up 56.8%), while consumption goods fell 1.7%.
For January to November 2025, total imports rose 5.6% to RM1.321 trillion, with capital goods surging 33.9% and intermediate goods declining 4.5%.
MITI and MATRADE urged Malaysian companies to continue diversifying markets, strengthening supply chain resilience, and strategically leveraging Free Trade Agreements to capitalise on global trade opportunities.
This comprehensive growth underscores Malaysia’s ongoing resilience in global trade, particularly within the high-value manufacturing sector, while reflecting positive trends in regional and bilateral trade relations. - December 19, 2025
