KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s exports rose 7% year-on-year (y-o-y) to RM135 billion in November 2025, underpinned by stronger external demand, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM).
Imports increased 15.8% to RM128.9 billion during the month.
DoSM said Malaysia’s November 2025 trade performance also improved, with total trade rising by 11.1% y-o-y to RM263.8 billion from RM237 billion.
The trade surplus stood at RM6.1 billion, a 58.8% decline from RM14.8 billion in November 2024. It marked the 67th consecutive month of surplus since May 2020.
Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the increase in exports in November 2025 reflected a corresponding increase in re-exports and domestic exports. “Re-exports accounted for 22% of total exports and increased by 40.3% y-o-y to RM29.8 billion. Meanwhile, domestic exports, which contributed 78% (of total exports), saw a marginal growth of 0.3% to RM105.2 billion.”
Compared with October 2025, imports recorded a marginal increase of 0.7%, from RM127.9 billion to RM128.9 billion, while exports, total trade and trade surplus were down by 9%, 4.5% and 70%, respectively.
Mohd Uzir said the higher exports were mainly driven by an increase in goods to Taiwan (+RM3.2 billion), followed by China (+RM1.4 billion), Hong Kong (+RM1.3 billion), the European Union (+RM1.2 billion), Mexico (+RM1 billion), Singapore (+RM736 million) and Vietnam (+RM715.7 million).
“The increase was primarily driven by higher shipments of electrical and electronic (E&E) products, which grew by RM7.7 billion; optical and scientific equipment (+RM1.6 billion): metalliferous ores and metal scrap (+RM1.3 billion); palm oil-based manufactured products (+RM487.3 million); manufacture of metal (+RM393.1 million); and machinery, equipment and parts (+RM321.4 million),” he added.
Meanwhile, Mohd Uzir said, the uplift in imports was mainly attributed to stronger inflows from China (+RM8.7 billion), followed by Costa Rica (+RM6.6 billion), South Korea (+RM3.4 billion), the United Arab Emirates (+RM1.3 billion), Taiwan (+RM1.3 billion), Oman (+RM1.2 billion) and the European Union (+RM826.6 million).
“The import uptick was driven by heightened inflows of E&E products (+RM17.5 billion); machinery, equipment and parts (+RM1.3 billion); metalliferous ores and metal scrap (+RM942.4 million); others (+RM922.2 million); optical and scientific equipment (+RM414.2 million); and palm oil-based manufactured products (+RM406.5 million).”
He added that Malaysia’s total trade from January to November 2025 amounted to RM2.8 trillion, a 5.8% growth y-o-y. – Bernama
