Trade Performance 2025
Trade Performance : March 2025 and January - March 2025
MALAYSIA'S MARCH 2025 EXPORTS RECORD HIGHEST MONTHLY VALUE FOR MARCH#
Trade Surplus in March 2025 Nearly Doubled Year-On-Year, Marking a 21-Month High
Malaysia’s trade continued its positive momentum in March 2025, marking the 15th consecutive month of year-on-year (y-o-y) growth since January 2024. Trade rose 2.2% to RM249.89 billion, the highest value ever registered for the month of March. This performance was underpinned by a 6.8% increase in exports to RM137.31 billion, also a record high for March, while imports declined by 2.8% to RM112.59 billion. Trade surplus grew by 94.4% from March last year to reach RM24.72 billion, the highest value recorded since June 2023. This was the 59th consecutive month of surplus since May 2020.
The rise in exports was primarily supported by higher demand for manufactured goods, notably electrical and electronic (E&E) products which recorded the highest monthly value thus far, with an expansion of more than RM12 billion y-o-y. Agriculture goods, particularly palm oil and palm oil-based agriculture products, also contributed to the increase in exports.
In terms of markets, exports to major trading partners namely ASEAN, the United States (US), the European Union (EU) and Taiwan, posted expansion with exports to the US soaring to a new record high. Similarly, higher exports were seen to Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partners such as Hong Kong SAR, Turkiye, Canada and Chile.
On a month-on-month (m-o-m) basis, trade and exports in March 2025 recorded double-digit growth, with trade recording an increase of 11.6% and exports, 16.1%. Imports, on the other hand, rose 6.6%.
For the period of January to March 2025, Malaysia recorded the highest values for first quarter (Q1) trade, exports and imports. Trade for Q1 2025 grew by 3.6% y-o-y to RM715.73 billion. Exports expanded by 4.4% to RM378.36 billion and imports rose 2.8% to RM337.37 billion. Meanwhile, trade surplus recorded double-digit expansion of 20.1% to RM41 billion.
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Trade Performance : March 2025 and January - March 2025
Trade Performance : March 2025 and January - March 2025 (Infographic)
Bahasa Melayu
Prestasi Perdagangan : Mac 2025 dan Januari - Mac 2025
Prestasi Perdagangan : Mac 2025 dan Januari - Mac 2025 (Infografik)
Trade Performance : February 2025 and January - February 2025
MALAYSIA'S TRADE MAINTAINS ROBUST PERFORMANCE, ACHIEVES RECORD HIGH FOR MONTH OF FEBRUARY#
Highest Trade, Exports and Imports Recorded for February
Malaysia’s trade performance maintained its positive momentum in February 2025, recording a 5.9% year-on-year (y-o-y) growth to reach RM223.89 billion. Exports rose 6.2% to RM118.26 billion while imports increased by 5.5% to RM105.64 billion. This marked the 14th consecutive month of y-o-y trade expansion and the fifth consecutive month of export growth. Meanwhile, trade surplus rebounded to RM12.62 billion, marking the 58th consecutive month of surplus since May 2020. Trade, exports and imports also delivered the highest monthly value in history for the month of February.
The increase in exports was primarily driven by higher demand for manufactured goods (85.7% of total exports) which expanded by 8.8% y-o-y to RM101.3 billion. The increase was attributed mainly to robust exports of electrical and electronic (E&E) products, which increased more than RM7 billion in value. Agriculture goods, particularly palm oil and palm oil-based agriculture products, also helped increase exports. In terms of markets, exports to major trading partners namely ASEAN, the United States (US), the European Union (EU) and Taiwan recorded expansion, largely due to the rising demand for E&E products, especially semiconductor devices and integrated circuits (ICs). This increase was in alignment with the projected 2025 growth of 11.2% for global semiconductor sales by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS). Exports to Free Trade Agreement (FTA) markets including Mexico and Canada have also increased y-o-y, driven by the continued demand for E&E products from these countries.
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Trade Performance : February 2025 and January - February 2025
Trade Performance : February 2025 and January - February 2025 (Infographic)
Bahasa Melayu
Prestasi Perdagangan : Februari 2025 dan Januari - Februari 2025
Prestasi Perdagangan : Februari 2025 dan Januari - Februari 2025 (Infografik)
Trade Performance : January 2025
MALAYSIA'S TRADE PERFORMANCE IN JANUARY 2025 KICKS OFF STRONG, SIGNALING POSITIVE OUTLOOK FOR THE YEAR AHEAD#
Highest Ever Trade, Exports and Imports Recorded for the Month of January
Malaysia's trade performance was off to a strong start in January 2025, showcasing a positive trajectory with trade registering the highest monthly value for January. Trade recorded the 13th successive month of year-on-year (y-o-y) growth, rising 3.1% to RM241.95 billion compared to January 2024. Exports grew for the fourth consecutive month, increased by 0.3% to RM122.79 billion and imports, 6.2% to RM119.16 billion. This resulted in a trade surplus of RM3.63 billion, the 57th successive month of surplus since May 2020.
The export performance in January 2025 was driven by robust growth in key sectors, particularly manufacturing and agriculture. This year commenced with an impressive monthly performance in electrical and electronic (E&E) exports which saw an increase of almost RM7 billion. Other products that recorded export growth include palm oil and palm oil-based agricultural products as well as machinery, equipment and parts.
In terms of markets, exports to the United States (US) and Taiwan posted significant double-digit growth in January 2025, fuelled by rising demand for E&E products notably semiconductor devices and integrated circuits (ICs).
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Trade Performance : January 2025
Trade Performance : January 2025 (Infographic)
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Prestasi Perdagangan : Januari 2025
Prestasi Perdagangan : Januari 2025 (Infografik)
