MALAYSIA’S total trade hit a record RM340.9 billion in June 2026, underpinned by strong export performance and increased import activity, signalling continued strength in external demand and domestic economic momentum.
The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) said total trade expanded 44.7 per cent year-on-year, with exports surging 45.4 per cent to RM177.9 billion and imports rising 43.9 per cent to RM163 billion.
The performance generated a trade surplus of RM14.9 billion, marking Malaysia’s 74th consecutive monthly surplus since May 2020.
The surplus was 64.9 per cent higher compared with June last year, although it fell 62.7 per cent from the previous month following a larger surplus recorded in May 2026.
DOSM said export growth was driven by stronger domestic exports and re-exports.
Domestic exports, which made up 77.9 per cent of total exports, increased 44.6 per cent to RM138.6 billion, while re-exports, accounting for 22.1 per cent, climbed 48.7 per cent to RM39.3 billion.
The rise in exports was mainly supported by higher shipments of electrical and electronic (E&E) products, petroleum products and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The United States recorded the largest increase in demand for Malaysian exports, contributing an additional RM18.1 billion.
Other major contributors included Singapore with an increase of RM8.1 billion, China (RM5.4 billion), Taiwan (RM3.1 billion), the European Union (RM2.7 billion), Japan (RM2.6 billion) and Thailand (RM2.5 billion).
On the import front, China remained the largest contributor to growth, with purchases increasing by RM15.8 billion.
Imports also rose from Singapore by RM10 billion, South Korea (RM4.6 billion), the United States (RM4.2 billion), Taiwan (RM3.5 billion), India (RM2.2 billion) and the European Union (RM2.2 billion).
The stronger inflows of capital and intermediate goods pointed to sustained business activity, investment expansion and resilient domestic demand.
Compared with May 2026, total trade increased 4 per cent, while imports rose 13.2 per cent. Exports, however, declined 3.2 per cent month-on-month.
For the second quarter of 2026, Malaysia’s total trade expanded 34.1 per cent, supported by a 42.4 per cent increase in exports and a 25.4 per cent rise in imports.
The quarterly trade surplus surged 449.2 per cent to RM84 billion.
During the first half of 2026, total trade grew 22.4 per cent to RM1.8 trillion from RM1.5 trillion a year earlier.
Exports rose 27.5 per cent, while imports increased 16.9 per cent, lifting Malaysia’s January-June trade surplus by 159.8 per cent to RM147.1 billion. - July 20, 2026
