Malaysia Records Higher Trade In Jan-Aug 2025 VS 2024 - MITI

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia recorded higher trade for the first eight months of this year with exports surpassing RM1 trillion a month earlier compared with 2024, said the Malaysia’s Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI).

Total trade rose by 3.8 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) to RM1.98 trillion between January and August, with exports and imports increasing by 3.9 per cent to RM1.03 trillion and 3.6 per cent to RM945.62 billion, respectively.

“This has resulted in a trade surplus of RM86.07 billion,” MITI said a statement.

However, MITI said Malaysia’s August 2025 trade eased slightly by 1.9 per cent y-o-y to RM247.07 billion amid shifting global trade conditions, although exports grew for the second consecutive month by 1.9 per cent to RM131.6 billion.

“Imports, on the other hand, declined by 5.9 per cent to RM115.47 billion. This resulted in a trade surplus of RM16.13 billion, the 64th consecutive month of trade surplus since May 2020, an increase of 153.8 per cent compared to August 2024,” MITI said.

The ministry noted that export growth in August 2025 was driven by strong performances in both manufactured and agricultural goods, with agriculture exports rebounding from the negative growth recorded in July 2025.

The trade expansion was mainly contributed by electrical and electronic products, followed by machinery, equipment and parts, optical and scientific equipment, as well as palm oil and palm oil-based agricultural products.

Notably, MITI said exports of optical and scientific equipment recorded their highest value to date.

While Malaysia’s overall trade performance remained resilient from January to August 2025, exporters were strongly encouraged to improve and diversify their product offerings, and to strengthen supply chain efficiencies to mitigate the transitional effects of policy shifts and uncertainties in the global trading landscape.

Exporters are also encouraged to leverage the 18 free trade agreements ratified by Malaysia with various countries and economies.

-- BERNAMA