2025.08.1904:11:16UTC+00Malaysia Trade Surplus Largest in 4 Months

In July 2025, Malaysia's trade surplus significantly expanded to MYR 15 billion, compared to MYR 6.4 billion in the same month the previous year, surpassing the anticipated MYR 5.7 billion. This marked the most substantial trade surplus since March, driven by exports growing at a much faster pace than imports. Exports unexpectedly increased by 6.8% year-on-year, reaching a nearly three-year high of MYR 140.4 billion. This growth reversed a previously upwardly revised 3.6% decline in June, exceeding predictions of a 5.2% decrease. The rise was primarily fueled by an uptick in manufacturing sector sales (9.0%), despite a decrease in the mining (-4.3%) and agriculture sectors (-8.6%). Imports also presented a positive surprise, edging up by 0.6% to MYR 125.5 billion, contrary to the expected 4.3% decline. This overall increase was tempered by a notable drop in capital goods imports (-20.6%), alongside decreases in consumption goods (-5.0%) and intermediate goods (-17.8%). Over the first seven months of 2025, Malaysia reported a trade surplus of MYR 70.3 billion, with exports and imports rising by 4.3% and 5.1%, respectively.