Malaysia's August trade surges 43pct, logs 76th straight surplus

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 — Malaysia's total trade surged 43.4 percent year-on-year in August 2026, reaching RM354.0 billion, compared to RM246.8 billion in the same month last year, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM). Exports grew by 45.5 percent to RM191.0 billion, while imports climbed 41.1 percent to RM163.0 billion.

The trade surplus expanded by 77.1 percent to RM28.1 billion, marking the 76th consecutive month of surplus since May 2020. Domestic exports, comprising 79 percent of total exports, increased by 46.0 percent to RM151.0 billion, while re-exports, accounting for 21 percent, rose by 43.3 percent to RM40.1 billion. Imports also saw significant growth, up by 41.1 percent to RM163.0 billion.

On a month-over-month basis, exports, imports, and total trade declined by 1.3 percent, 4.7 percent, and 2.9 percent, respectively, compared to July 2026. By commodity groups, 136 of 258 export and 142 of 258 import commodity groups experienced increases compared to the same period last year. Exports were bolstered by shipments to the United States, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Japan, and the European Union.

Imports were primarily driven by inflows from China, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, Japan, and the UAE. Major export growth sectors included electrical and electronic products, other manufactures, liquefied natural gas, petroleum products, machinery, equipment and parts, and metal manufacturing. Imports grew due to increased inflows of electrical and electronic products, crude petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, equipment and parts, metal manufacturing, and optical and scientific equipment.

By end-use category, imports of intermediate goods and capital goods rose, while consumption goods imports declined. Malaysia's total trade for the first eight months of 2026 increased by 27 percent year-on-year to RM2.5 trillion, driven by strong export growth (31.2 percent) and import growth (22.4 percent). The trade surplus expanded by 127.6 percent to RM198.7 billion, underscoring Malaysia's resilient trade performance supported by robust exports and imports, particularly in electrical and electronic products and increased trade with major partners.