KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 18): Malaysian exports picked up in August thanks to strong demand for electronics and natural gas while shipments to the US and Taiwan more than doubled.

Exports totalled RM191.05 billion, an increase of 45.5% when compared to August 2025, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry. That outperformed the median 38% rise predicted by economists in a Bloomberg survey and July’s 38% year-on-year gain.

“Looking ahead, Malaysia will continue to strengthen the foundations for sustained trade growth by widening its market presence, enhancing the competitiveness of strategic industries and positioning local exporters to capture emerging global opportunities,” the ministry said.

Prolonged geopolitical conflict in the Middle East has disrupted global trade flows, though demand for electronics and semiconductors has proven resilient while prices of petroleum and petroleum products remained elevated.

Electrical and electronic products, which accounted for nearly half of the total outbound shipments in terms of value, were up 67% year-on-year in July. Exports of liquefied natural gas surged 52% while that of petroleum products were up 22%.

In terms of markets, deliveries jumped 130% to the US and 102% to Taiwan. Orders from China, Malaysia’s biggest trading partner, climbed 20% in terms of value.

Gross imports, meanwhile, expanded 41% year-on-year to RM162.96 billion in August.

Inbound shipments of consumption goods contracted due to lower demand for processed food and beverages mainly for household consumption.

Imports of capital products and intermediate goods — components and parts used in the final assembly — both grew thanks to non-transport items.

All in all, trade surplus came in at RM28.09 billion, a 77% year-on-year jump and a 25% increase on a month-on-month basis.

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