KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — Malaysia’s total trade rose 15.3 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) to RM1.127 trillion in January-April 2026, driven by surging demand for high-growth,...
The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation said Malaysia’s total trade rose 15.3 per cent in the first four months of 2026, driven by strong demand for high-growth, high-value products.
— Picture by Yusof Mat Isa! Plus, enjoy an additional FREE RM10 when you sign up using code VERSAMM10 with a min. cash-in of RM100 today. T&Cs apply. KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — Malaysia’s total trade rose 15.3 per cent year-on-year to RM1.127 trillion in January-April 2026, driven by surging demand for high-growth, high-value products and a deliberate strategy of market diversification.
In a statement today, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation said exports surged 19 per cent to RM609.31 billion and imports rose 11.1 per cent to RM517.40 billion, marking the highest-ever recorded values for this period.
“This resulted in a trade surplus of RM91.92 billion, a staggering 99.1 per cent surge that effectively doubled the previous year’s performance,” it said, adding that Malaysia demonstrated extraordinary external sector resilience even amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty in West Asia. The export expansion in January to April 2026 was anchored by robust demand for electrical and electronic products, which grew by RM71 billion or 32.1 per cent, propelled by a global semiconductor boom, fuelled by artificial intelligence adoption, cloud computing, and data centre expansion.
Crucially, Malaysia has cemented its position in the global AI value chain, with exports of AI-enabling products surging 42.9 per cent to RM319.05 billion, now commanding over half of the nation’s total exports. In addition, pharmaceutical and automotive products added further dimension to the HGHV narrative, posting double-digit growth of 21.9 per cent and 10.3 per cent, respectively.
This aligns with the 13th Malaysia Plan’s strategic prioritisation of HGHV industries, including semiconductors, energy transition technologies, and digital economy-driven sectors. Meanwhile, April 2026 also delivered exceptional results, with monthly exports climbing 36.9 per cent to RM182.74 billion and the monthly trade surplus soaring 460.5 per cent to RM28.75 billion — the highest values ever recorded in Malaysia’s trade history, underscoring the momentum driving Malaysia’s trade engine.
Matrade chief executive officer Abu Bakar Yusof said the surge in AI-enabling products and semiconductor exports affirms that Malaysia’s industries are deeply embedded in the technology supply chains shaping the global economy.
“Matrade remains committed to guiding Malaysian exporters and small and medium enterprises up the value chain, ensuring we capture not just markets, but the highest-value opportunities within them,” he said. According to Matrade, exports to the United States grew 32.5 per cent, Taiwan , Hong Kong , China , the European Union , and ASEAN , largely catalysed by E&E shipments.
Exports to free trade agreement partners expanded 14.2 per cent to RM390.09 billion, with 17 of 24 FTA nations registering positive gains, including South Korea, India, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Most notably, Malaysia’s trade diversification has moved into a high-growth phase that extends well beyond its traditional pillars.
Emerging markets registered exponential growth, with the Democratic Republic of Congo , Sudan , Zimbabwe , Bulgaria , Haiti , Ethiopia and Uzbekistan leading the surge. This reflects a systematic expansion of Malaysia’s trade footprint into high-growth, underserved markets across Africa and Eastern Europe, it said.
“Our diversification strategy is on the right track. While our core markets remain strong, the exponential growth we are seeing in frontier economies in Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe signals that Malaysian exporters are confidently making their foray into new markets.
“In an era of global trade uncertainty, this geographical resilience is not just strategic prudence. We are moving beyond traditional markets to ensure Malaysia remains indispensable to the global supply chain,” said Abu Bakar. Matrade said Malaysia’s trade trajectory for 2026 remains robust, supported by the convergence of HGHV sector momentum, targeted market diversification, and strategic adaptability in the face of geopolitical uncertainty — positioning Malaysia as a confident and resilient player in the global trade landscape.
It added that it will continue to support Malaysian exporters in capturing emerging opportunities, leveraging trade agreements, and embedding themselves firmly in the high-value segments of the global supply chains. — Bernama
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