Trade Performance : January - March 2026 and March 2026

TRADE PERFORMANCE FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY- MARCH 2026 AND MARCH 2026 

Trade, Exports and Imports in the First Quarter (Q1) of 2026 Remained on An Upward Trajectory, Registering Highest Value Ever for Q1 Despite Ongoing Global Uncertainties

Malaysia’s trade remained on an expansionary path in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026, expanding by 10.4% to RM789.85 billion compared with the same period in 2025. Exports rose 12.7% to RM426.53 billion, marking the second-highest quarterly value ever recorded, while imports increased by 7.7% to RM363.31, resulting in a trade surplus of RM63.22 billion. Notably, these were the highest ever Q1 values for trade, exports and imports.

The expansion in exports during the quarter was primarily driven by stronger demand for manufactured goods, particularly electrical and electronic (E&E) products as well as optical and scientific equipment, alongside mining goods, notably metalliferous ores and metal scrap. E&E products continued to anchor overall export growth, with exports increasing by more than RM40 billion, underpinned by sustained global demand and ongoing technological adoption across key markets. These products each attained their highest quarterly export values to date.

In terms of markets, exports to key trading partners, namely the People’s Republic of China (China), the United States (US) and Taiwan, recorded robust double-digit growth, while exports to ASEAN registered moderate expansion. Exports to Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partners also recorded increases, with higher shipments going to markets such as the Hong Kong Special Administration Region of China (Hong Kong SAR), Mexico, the Republic of Korea (ROK), India and the United Kingdom (UK). Notably, exports to the US, Taiwan, Hong Kong SAR and the ROK reached their highest quarterly values to date. 

For the month of March 2026, trade sustained its upward trajectory, expanding by 9.3% year-on-year (y-o-y) to RM272.95 billion, supported by growth in both exports and imports. Exports rose 8.3% to RM148.75 billion, marking the second-highest monthly value ever recorded, while imports increased by 10.4% to RM124.20 billion. This resulted in a trade surplus of RM24.55 billion, sustaining Malaysia’s streak of 71 consecutive months of surplus since May 2020. Trade, exports and imports reached their highest monthly levels on record for the month of March.

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Trade Performance : March 2026 and January - March 2026
Trade Performance : March 2026 and January - March 2026 (Infographic)