KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s trade performance sustained its positive trajectory in April 2025, rising 18.2% year-on-year (y-o-y) to RM261.94 billion, said the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti).
This marked the 16th consecutive month of y-o-y trade expansion since January 2024 and the highest monthly trade value recorded since August 2022.
Miti noted that both exports and imports posted strong double-digit growth for the month.
“Exports expanded by 16.4% to RM133.56 billion, and imports were up by 20% to RM128.37 billion.
“A trade surplus was recorded for the 60th consecutive month since May 2020, reaching RM5.19 billion,” the ministry said in a statement today.
The ministry said export growth was mainly driven by robust demand for manufactured goods, particularly electrical and electronic (E&E) products, which surged by nearly RM16 billion. Agricultural goods, especially palm oil and palm oil-based agricultural products, also contributed significantly to the overall export expansion.
In terms of markets, exports expanded to Asean, China, the United States, the European Union and Taiwan, which reached a new record high.
Overall exports to Free Trade Agreement partners also saw a strong rebound, said the ministry.
Among markets that recorded export increases were Mexico, India and South Korea, driven by higher shipments of E&E products.
For the first four months of 2025, Miti said Malaysia’s total trade rose 7.2% y-o-y to RM977.61 billion, with exports rising 7.3% to RM511.92 billion and imports growing by seven% to RM465.69 billion.
Meanwhile, the trade surplus registered double-digit growth of 10.4% to RM46.23 billion.
Additionally, the World Trade Organisation reported an improvement in Malaysia’s global trade ranking, moving up to 24th position in 2024 from 26th in 2023. – May 20, 2025