In a statement today, Miti said Malaysia’s trade maintained strong momentum in April 2026 despite heightened global uncertainties, including geopolitical tensions in West Asia which led to higher logistics costs, supply chain disruptions, and commodity price volatility, with exports and imports reaching record highs.
Miti, the ministry overseeing the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), said exports extended their growth momentum for the 10th consecutive month, surging 36.9% to a record RM182.74 billion, surpassing the previous high of RM152.77 billion recorded in December 2025 by RM30 billion, while imports rose 20% to RM153.99 billion.
Miti said this resulted in a trade surplus of RM28.75 billion, marking the 72nd consecutive month of surplus since May 2020.
“The growth in exports was primarily driven by double-digit expansion in major export products, led by E&E products, which increased by RM28 billion to a record high on the back of strong demand from the artificial intelligence and automotive electronics segments.
“The expansion was further bolstered by remarkable increases in exports of petroleum products, manufactures of metal, optical and scientific equipment, as well as machinery, equipment and parts,” it said.
Miti added that exports of optical and scientific equipment, as well as machinery, equipment and parts, recorded their highest monthly values on record.
The ministry said exports to all major trading partners, namely Asean, China, the US, Taiwan, and the EU, recorded strong double-digit growth, with shipments to Asean, Taiwan, and the EU reaching record highs.
“Malaysia’s extensive network of free trade agreements (FTAs) continued to facilitate market access and diversify export destinations.
“Leveraging these agreements, exports to FTA partners such as Hong Kong, South Korea, Australia, India, and Turkey continued to expand, reaching record highs on sustained demand across a broad range of products,” Miti said.
For the January-April 2026 period, Malaysia’s trade surpassed the RM1 trillion mark within four months, earlier than in the previous year.
Trade during the period rose 15.3% to RM1.127 trillion, with exports increasing 19% to RM609.31 billion and imports growing 11.1% to RM517.40 billion.
“Consequently, the trade surplus doubled from the previous year to RM91.92 billion. Trade, exports, imports and the trade surplus all recorded their highest levels for the period,” Miti said.
It said the ministry and Matrade would continue to monitor global trade developments and remain proactive in safeguarding Malaysia’s trade resilience to sustain its growth momentum.