Malaysia’s trade with ASEAN grew 1.7% to RM709.08 billion for Jan-Nov 2025, with exports rising 4.8% despite a drop in imports.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s trade with ASEAN increased by 1.7% to RM709.08 billion for the January to November 2025 period. This accounted for 25.6% of Malaysia’s total global trade of RM2.775 trillion for the same period.
The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) said exports rose 4.8% to RM418.78 billion. This growth was supported by higher demand for electrical and electronic products, machinery, equipment and parts, and optical and scientific instruments.
Imports, however, declined by 2.6% to RM290.30 billion. MITI attributed this drop to lower domestic demand for petroleum products, chemicals and chemical products, and transport equipment.
The ministry also cited a significant fall in petroleum market prices as a factor. Crude oil prices decreased from around US$80 per barrel in 2024 to US$60 per barrel in 2025.
MITI provided these details in a written reply published on the Parliament website. The ministry was responding to a question from Tan Kok Wa (PH–Cheras) on trade comparisons and measures to strengthen intra-ASEAN trade.
For the full year 2024, Malaysia’s total trade with ASEAN increased by 6.1% compared to 2023, reaching RM765.03 billion. This represented 29% of Malaysia’s total trade valued at RM2.879 trillion.
In 2024, the value of Malaysia’s exports to ASEAN rose 4.1% to RM438 billion. Imports from ASEAN increased by a larger 8.9% to RM327.12 billion.
Malaysia’s three main export and import destinations within the bloc are Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia.
