Malaysia’s May 2026 Trade Surges with 45% Export Growth and Record Surplus

According to Malaysia’s Department of Statistics, exports in May 2026 rose 45.3% year‑on‑year to RM184.0 billion, driven by electrical and electronic goods, petroleum products, LNG, optical and scientific equipment and machinery. Exports to the United States jumped 97.7% and shipments to China increased 27.8%.

Imports increased 14.1% to RM143.6 billion, giving a May trade surplus of RM40.4 billion – a 5,214% rise over the same month a year earlier and the 73rd consecutive month of surplus since May 2020. Overall trade value for May reached RM327.6 billion, up 29.8% from a year earlier, while cumulative January‑May trade hit RM1.5 trillion, 18.3% higher than in 2025. The consumer price index also rose 2% in May.