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Malaysia’s total trade jumps 24.7% to RM2.16 trillion in January-July 2026

Malaysia’s total trade surged 24.7% year-on-year to RM2.16 trillion in the first seven months of 2026, driven by a 29.2% rise in exports to RM1.165 trillion and a 19.8% gain in imports to RM994.71 billion, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation…

Source: The Star · August 21, 2026 at 3:00 PM · AI-assisted report

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Malaysia’s total trade jumps 24.7% to RM2.16 trillion in January-July 2026
Photo: thienzieyung via flickr (BY)

KUALA LUMPUR, 21 AUGUST 2026 —

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Malaysia’s Trade Surges 24.7% to RM2.16 Trillion in January-July 2026

Market Impact

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s total trade reached RM2.16 trillion in the first seven months of 2026, marking a 24.7% year-on-year increase, driven by export demand, according to the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE).

Exports rose 29.2% to RM1.165 trillion, while imports grew 19.8% to RM994.71 billion. The trade surplus surged by 138.7% to RM170.5 billion, more than doubling the RM71.42 billion recorded in the same period last year. MATRADE described the performance as the strongest on record for the January-July period.

The agency noted that exports surpassed RM1 trillion faster than in 2025, when the same milestone was achieved in January-August. Total trade also exceeded RM2 trillion earlier than the January-September 2025 timeline. With five months remaining in 2026, Malaysia’s trade performance remains on track for another record year, continuing three consecutive years of expansion since the pandemic-induced contraction in 2020.

Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) strengthened their export contribution, with MSME exports rising 10.5% to RM214.5 billion in 2025. Their share of Malaysia’s total exports increased to 14.7%, with manufacturing remaining the backbone of MSME exports. Manufacturing exports grew 8.8% to RM132.7 billion, accounting for 9.1% of Malaysia’s total exports.

For January-July 2026, key MSME industries recorded strong growth, including food and confectionery products (+6.3%), automotive products (+13.8%), pharmaceutical products (+29.7%), metal furniture (+27.8%), and palm oil-based and oleochemical products (+13.4%).

Malaysia’s export performance was supported by strong demand from major trading partners, including the United States (+58.3%, RM206.59 billion), ASEAN (+20.3%, RM315.67 billion), Taiwan (+71.4%, RM80.81 billion), Hong Kong (+49.8%, RM77.86 billion), China (+24.3%, RM127.87 billion), and the European Union (+29.8%, RM90.73 billion).

MATRADE’s market diversification strategy into non-traditional markets across Africa, Central Asia, South Asia, and Latin America surged 18.2% to RM100.94 billion. Significant growth was recorded in Angola (+231.2%), Zimbabwe (+242.7%), Sudan (+203.5%), and Congo (+117.1%). Exports to Sudan, Congo, Ethiopia, and Zimbabwe have already surpassed their full-year 2025 values.

Malaysia’s free trade agreements (FTAs) continued to drive export growth, with exports to FTA partner countries expanding 22.4% to RM737.97 billion, representing 63.3% of total exports. Of the 24 FTA partners, 21 recorded growth. Exports to Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) markets rose 19.7% to RM564.02 billion, while exports to Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) markets grew 18.1% to RM330.42 billion.

MATRADE chief executive officer Datuk Abu Bakar Yusof highlighted the resilience of Malaysian exporters but emphasized the need for long-term efforts to expand the trade ecosystem. “MATRADE is doubling down on empowering MSMEs and mid-tier companies to ensure our expansion is broad-based, homegrown, and deeply integrated into global supply chains,” he said.

The agency is expanding its global value chain integration programs, connecting local businesses to international trade platforms such as the Farnborough International Airshow, SEMICON West, and the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC).

Details not yet available on sector-specific impacts or company-level performance.

Reporting based on The Star. Figures and claims are subject to revision as the story develops. DomainFork publishes editorial context, not investment advice — see our editorial standards.