Malaysia’s trade surplus widened to MYR 14.9 billion in May 2026 from MYR 9.0 billion in the same month last year, as exports grew faster than imports.
Exports surged 45.4% year-on-year to MYR 177.9 billion, mainly driven by the manufacturing sector, which jumped 47.3%, particularly electrical and electronic products (56.9%) and petroleum products (55.6%).
By destination, exports grew sharply to the US (108.6%), Singapore (47.6%), China (36.1%), and the EU (29.7%).
Imports surged 43.9% year-on-year to a record MYR 163.0 billion, supported by higher purchases of intermediate goods (41.3%), consumption goods (17.2%), and capital goods (67.4%).
Import growth was strongest from China (56.6%), followed by Singapore (84.2%) and Taiwan (35.1%), while imports from the US plunged 38.0%.
For the first half of the year, the country’s trade surplus reached MYR 147.1 billion, with exports soaring 27.5% and imports climbing 16.9%.