KUALA LUMPUR (May 20): Malaysia’s exports in April surged and grew at its fastest pace in more than three years, driven largely by electronics and strong demand from major markets, official data showed.
Outbound shipments totalled a record high of RM182.74 billion, a 36.9% increase when compared to the same month in 2025, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti). The print was far above Bloomberg’s forecast of 9.5% and March’s revised 8.4% year-on-year gain.
On a month-on-month basis, exports were 23% higher.
Miti will continue to closely monitor global trade developments while staying “proactive in safeguarding Malaysia’s trade resilience to sustain its growth momentum”, the ministry said in a statement.
Shipments of electrical and electronics products, which made up nearly half of total exports, rose 46% year-on-year in April. Demand was strong from the artificial intelligence and automotive electronics segments, the ministry highlighted.
Growth in exports of petroleum products soared 70% while machinery deliveries grew 27% in April.
By destination, exports to Malaysia’s largest trading partner China rose 39%, the fastest growth in five years. Exports to the US, another major trading partner of Malaysia, were up 39%.
Gross imports, meanwhile, climbed 20% to RM153.99 billion as inbound consumption goods offset contraction in capital and intermediate goods.
Inflow of consumption goods gained 5.6% from higher import of durables. Imports of capital goods — physical assets used in production — were down 21% in April from lower demand for non-transport goods.
Intermediate goods, or components and parts used in the final assembly, were down 19% year-on-year in April.
On a month-on-month basis, overall imports were 24% higher in April.
Trade surplus widened to RM28.75 billion from RM5.13 billion in April 2025, and was also higher than March 2026’s RM24.5 billion.