MALAYSIA’S external trade strengthened in 2025, with total trade rising 6.3 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) to RM3.1 trillion from RM2.9 trillion in 2024, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM).
The improvement was supported by broad-based growth in both exports and imports, with exports increasing 6.6 per cent to RM1.6 trillion from RM1.5 trillion a year earlier, while imports rose 6 per cent to RM1.5 trillion from RM1.4 trillion in 2024.
In its Malaysia External Trade Statistics for Reference Year 2025 report released today, DoSM said Malaysia sustained its trade surplus for the 28th consecutive year since 1998, with the surplus reaching RM156.8 billion.
The 2025 surplus marked a RM17.8 billion or 12.8 per cent increase compared with the RM139 billion recorded in 2024.
"Exports rose by 6.6 per cent to RM1.6 trillion from RM1.5 trillion in 2024, underpinned by domestic exports which rose by 2.2 per cent to RM1.2 trillion and accounted for 77.2 per cent of total exports," DoSM said.
Domestic exports remained the main contributor to Malaysia’s export performance, while re-exports recorded a sharper expansion, rising 25.1 per cent to RM366.8 billion from RM293 billion in 2024.
Re-exports accounted for 22.8 per cent of total exports during the year, reflecting stronger trade activity within regional supply chains.
Imports also recorded continued growth, increasing by RM82.3 billion or 6 per cent to RM1.5 trillion compared with RM1.4 trillion in the previous year.
The latest figures underscored Malaysia’s resilience in global trade, with export growth and sustained international demand helping to strengthen the country’s external position despite ongoing global economic uncertainties. - July 30, 2026
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