KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 17): Malaysia’s exports soared ahead of expectations in September 2025, amid a spike in shipments of electronics and other manufactured goods, as well as higher deliveries to the US.
Exports totalled RM138.68 billion in September, a 12.2% increase when compared to the same month last year, according to government data released on Friday. The rate is sharply higher than the median 3.1% rise predicted in a Bloomberg poll and August’s 4.4% year-on-year growth.
On a month-on-month basis, exports were 5.6% higher, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) said in a statement.
However, Miti cautioned of challenges from ongoing trade tensions and the possibility of new tariff measures among major economies.
“These uncertainties may lead to supply chain disruptions, increased costs for exporters and volatility to Malaysia’s trade environment, potentially affecting the country’s ability to sustain steady growth,” Miti said and urged exporters to diversify their markets and strengthen supply chain.
Shipments of electrical and electronic products, which made up 47% of total exports, rose 19.5% in September from the same month in 2024. Exports of petroleum products climbed 6.8%, while that of palm oil gained 8.6%.
In terms of destination, exports to Malaysia’s largest trading partner China was up 2.9%, while deliveries to the US saw a surge of 24.4%.
Gross imports, meanwhile, rebounded 7.3% to RM118.84 billion, driven by inflow of capital and consumption goods.
Inbound capital goods — physical assets used in production — increased 9.3%, while incoming consumption goods were 5.1% higher due to imports of durables.
However, imports of intermediate goods, or components and parts used in the final assembly declined 7.6% in September, dragged by lower demand for parts and accessories of non-transport capital goods.
On a month-on-month basis, imports were up 2.9%.
The spike in exports boosted Malaysia’s trade surplus in September to RM19.88 billion, a gain of 54.7% year-on-year and 25.3% on a month-on-month basis.