KUALA LUMPUR (March 19): Malaysia continued to record a trade surplus in February, as exports grew on the back of stronger shipments of electrical and electronics (E&E) products, official data showed.
The trade surplus widened 32.5% year-on-year to RM16.7 billion, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia on Thursday.
Exports rose 10.8% to RM131.0 billion, while imports increased 8.2% to RM114.2 billion, lifting total trade by 9.5% to RM245.2 billion from RM223.9 billion a year earlier.
The DOSM flagged the heightened geopolitical tensions in West Asia that have created additional uncertainties for the global economic and trade outlook.
"Nevertheless, Malaysia’s trade performance in February 2026 remained resilient, supported by sustained demand for key export products, particularly E&E products, as well as diversified export markets," it added.
Looking ahead, the DOSM said prolonged geopolitical instability could weigh on global demand and supply chain dynamics, potentially affecting Malaysia’s trade performance.
"Malaysian exporters are encouraged to grasp the benefits of existing free trade agreements, tap into emerging markets and broaden their product portfolios to stay resilient amid the uncertainties," it added.
Re-exports helped boost shipments in February
Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said export growth was supported by increases in both re-exports and domestic exports. Re-exports, which made up 20.3% of total exports, surged 24.8% year-on-year to RM26.6 billion, while domestic exports, accounting for 79.7%, rose 7.7% to RM104.3 billion.
Exports were mainly lifted by higher shipments to the US (+RM7.4 billion), followed by Taiwan (+RM3.3 billion), the European Union (+RM3.2 billion), Hong Kong (+RM2.2 billion), China (+RM1.7 billion), Thailand (+RM834.2 million) and South Korea (+RM621.6 million).
The increase in imports was largely due to higher inflows from China (+RM6.1 billion), followed by South Korea (+RM3.6 billion), Taiwan (+RM3.3 billion), Costa Rica (+RM1.1 billion), Vietnam (+RM1.1 billion), Switzerland (+RM655.1 million) and the European Union (+RM650.3 million).
In terms of products, export growth was driven by E&E products, other manufactures, metalliferous ores and metal scrap, as well as optical and scientific equipment.
Similarly, imports were supported by stronger demand for E&E products, metalliferous ores and metal scrap, machinery, equipment and parts, and optical and scientific equipment.
By end-use, the rise in imports was attributed to higher demand for capital, consumption and intermediate goods. Imports of capital goods rose 15.4% to RM15.9 billion, while consumption goods increased 1.5% to RM9.2 billion. Intermediate goods edged up 0.8% to RM59.2 billion.
On a month-on-month basis, exports, imports, total trade and the trade surplus declined by 10.8%, 8.5%, 9.8% and 23.9% respectively, compared to January 2026.
By commodity groups, 87 out of 258 export categories and 135 out of 258 import categories recorded increases from a year earlier.