Overview
Malaysia’s external trade performance showed a strong growth trajectory and recorded the highest value in April 2026 despite facing global uncertainties.
Total trade increased 28.6 per cent or RM74.9 billion to reach a value of RM336.7 billion, compared to April 2025. This growth was driven by significant increases in both exports (+36.9%) and imports (+20.0%).
Exports increased by RM49.2 billion to RM182.7 billion, while imports rose RM25.6 billion to RM154.0 billion, year-on-year (y-o-y). Consequently, the trade balance recorded a surplus valued at RM28.8 billion, up RM23.6 billion compared to April 2025.
Monthly comparison also recorded double-digit increases for exports, imports, total trade and trade balance, up by 22.8 per cent, 23.9 per cent, 23.3 per cent and 17.4 per cent respectively compared to March 2026.
Malaysia recorded a trade value amounting to RM1.1 trillion, an increase of 15.3 per cent for the January to April 2026 period compared to RM977.5 billion in the same period of 2025.
Performance of Exports
Malaysia’s exports surged 36.9 per cent y-o-y to RM182.7 billion in April 2026, recording the highest monthly record to date.
The encouraging export growth was mainly contributed by the increase in re-exports valued at RM71.6 billion (representing 39.2 per cent of total exports), soared by 113.5 per cent or RM38.1 billion.
Domestic exports also increased and recorded 11.2 per cent or RM11.2 billion to RM111.1 billion and contributed 60.8 per cent to total exports.
Meanwhile, monthly comparison showed exports increased 22.8 per cent or RM34.0 billion, while re-exports and domestic exports rose 88.9 per cent and 0.2 per cent respectively. Based on month-on-month seasonally adjusted terms analysis, exports also rose 32.2 per cent to RM187.4 billion.
Performance of Imports
Malaysia’s import growth continued to record higher double-digit growth at 20.0 per cent or RM25.6 billion in April 2026. This increase brought total imports to RM154.0 billion compared to the value recorded in the same month of the previous year.
Monthly comparison showed imports also increased by double digits at 23.9 per cent or RM29.7 billion. Referring to month-on-month seasonally adjusted terms analysis, imports rose 31.8 per cent to RM157.8 billion.
On a y-o-y basis, imports by End Use recorded positive strengthening for consumption goods (+RM541.3 million, +5.6%). Meanwhile, declines were recorded for intermediate goods (-RM11.0 billion, -18.8%) and capital goods (-RM4.9 billion, -20.7%).
