KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's external trade in September 2026 hit a fresh milestone with total trade expanding 53.7% year-on-year (y-o-y) to RM396.5bil, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti).
It capped off nine months of trade growth, with total trade rising 30.1% y-o-y to RM2.91 trillion. Exports from January to September rose 34% to RM1.571 trillion while imports expanded 25.7% to RM1.339 trillion. The trade surplus widened 115.7% to RM232.38bil.
In September, exports soared 54.5% to RM215.11bil, while imports rose 52.7% to RM181.39bil. The trade surplus came to RM33.72bil, representing the 77th consecutive month of surplus since May 2020.
By trade destination, major trading partners Asean, China and the US, all received higher shipments of goods from Malaysia.
Total exports to Asean surged 46.2% to RM59.55bil, supported by strong exports of E&E products as well as machinery, equipment and parts.
Exports to China increased 22.1% to RM20.39 bil, marking the ninth successive month of expansion, boosted by strong exports of E&E products, LNG as well as metalliferous ores and metal scrap.
For the US, an increase in E&E exports took total outbound shipments 89.9% higher to a record RM38.03bil.
Miti said the outlook for Malaysia's trade remained positive but the trade performance remained exposed to uncertainties arising from shifting trade policies by major economies and geopolitical tensions. In particular, the ongoing conflicts in West Asia could disrupt global trade flows and intensify cost pressures.
"Miti and Matrade will continue to assess these developments, strengthen market diversification, expand access to high-growth markets and help Malaysian exporters adapt to evolving global trade conditions," Miti said in a statement.
Exports of manufactured goods in September surged 58.6% y-o-y to a record high of RM191.57bil, underpinned by rising exports of E&E products, petroleum products, optical and scientific equipment as well as machinery, equipment and parts.
Outbound shipments of mining goods soared 56.3% y-o-y to RM11.43bil, the highest value ever recorded, due to an increase in exports of LNG, supported by higher export prices, and crude petroleum, attributed to both higher export prices and quantities, as well as metalliferous ores and metal scrap.
Agriculture goods exports dropped 5.7% y-o-y to RM9.03bil due to a decrease in the value of palm oil and palm oil-based agriculture products due to reduced export quantity.
Meanwhile, Malaysia's imports saw a 50.8% increase in intermediate goods to RM92.1bil. Capitals good increased 20.9% y-oy to RM22.32bil and consumption goods expanded 18.2% o RM10.91bil.
