Kuala lumpur: Malaysia achieved a significant milestone in 2025, with its total trade reaching RM3.1 trillion, marking a 6.3 percent increase year-on-year. This growth was driven by a rise in both exports and imports, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the DOSM's Malaysia External Trade Statistics For Reference Year 2025 report highlighted that Malaysia maintained its trade surplus for the 28th consecutive year, with a surplus of RM156.8 billion, an increase of 12.8 percent or RM17.8 billion compared to 2024. Exports saw an uptick of 6.6 percent to RM1.6 trillion, propelled by domestic exports, which climbed by 2.2 percent to RM1.2 trillion, accounting for 77.2 percent of total exports. Re-exports, making up 22.8 percent of total exports, surged to RM366.8 billion, expanding by 25.1 percent against 2024. Imports also rose by six percent, or RM82.3 billion, amounting to RM1.5 trillion year-on-year.
The DOSM reported that 133 out of 260 commodity groups in exports witnessed growth compared to 2024, with notable increases in electrical and electronic (E and E) products, machinery and equipment, and measuring, checking, analyzing, and controlling instruments. In terms of imports, 128 out of 261 commodity groups showed increases, primarily due to higher imports of E and E products, aircraft and associated equipment, and engines and motors, non-electric and parts.
The surge in exports was largely attributed to higher exports to the United States, which grew by 17.5 percent or RM34.8 billion to RM233.7 billion, driven by E and E products, machinery, equipment and parts, processed food, and the manufacture of metal. Other significant export destinations included Taiwan, Singapore, the European Union, and Mexico.
On the import side, the increase was fueled by higher imports from China, which expanded by 19 percent or RM56.3 billion to RM352.8 billion, primarily due to strong E and E imports, transport equipment, and machinery, equipment, and parts. Other notable contributors to the rise in imports were Taiwan, Costa Rica, South Korea, Vietnam, and the US.
From a sectoral perspective, exports across manufacturing, agriculture, mining, and other sectors were valued at RM1.6 trillion, supporting a 6.6 percent growth amounting to RM100.1 billion. The rise was attributed to E and E products, machinery, equipment and parts, optical and scientific equipment, palm oil-based manufactured products, and palm oil and palm-based agriculture products.
Similarly, imports grew in sectors such as E and E products, transport equipment, machinery, equipment and parts, metalliferous ores and metal scrap, and other manufactures. The uptick in end-use imports was largely due to increased demand for capital goods and consumption goods.
The DOSM noted that capital goods imports amounted to RM214.5 billion, representing 14.8 percent of total imports, with a 29.1 percent expansion. Imports of consumption goods, comprising 8.2 percent of total imports, rose to RM119.5 billion, a 1.8 percent increase, driven by higher imports of durable goods and semi-durables. However, intermediate goods, which made up 49.5 percent of total imports, saw a decline of 4.1 percent or RM30.4 billion to RM718.8 billion in 2025, due to lower imports of industrial supplies, processed, and primary fuel and lubricants.