Malaysia's May retail sales rise 7.2% while halal exports reach RM68.5 bn in 2025

Malaysia’s retail sector posted a 7.2% year‑on‑year increase in May, rebounding from a three‑month low in April. Growth accelerated in non‑specialist stores (8.2%), food, drink and tobacco (7.2%), market stalls (8.1%) and automobile fuel (12.8%). By contrast, information and communications equipment, other household equipment and other goods saw slower growth. Wholesale trade also jumped, rising 18.4% month‑on‑month after a 24.1% surge in April.

The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry reported that halal‑related exports rose 10.9% in 2025 to RM68.52 billion, accounting for 4.3% of total national exports. The increase was driven by food and beverage, halal ingredients, palm‑oil derivatives, cosmetics, personal‑care, pharmaceutical and chemical products, and was supported by Malaysia’s long‑standing leadership in the global halal market.

Both figures underscore Malaysia’s broader economic recovery and its strategic push to expand halal trade into new markets across Asia, the Middle East and Africa.