FX.co ★ Malaysia Trade Surplus Above Forecasts

In December 2025, Malaysia reported a trade surplus of MYR 19.3 billion, nearly identical to the figure from the previous year and significantly above market predictions of MYR 12.2 billion. Exports surged by 10.4% compared to the same month last year, reaching MYR 153.0 billion. This marked an acceleration from November's 7.0% growth and considerably outpaced expectations of a 2.4% increase. The main contributor to this growth was the manufacturing sector, which experienced a 13.6% rise, largely due to a robust 25.3% increase in shipments of electrical and electronic products. Notable growth in outbound shipments was recorded to the United States (48.8%), Hong Kong (12.0%), Taiwan (34.4%), and the European Union (34.8%). On the imports front, there was a 12.0% rise to MYR 133.7 billion, again exceeding the forecasted 8.5% increase. This growth in imports was driven by a 27.6% rise in consumption goods and a 3.6% increase in intermediate goods. Over the entirety of 2025, Malaysia's trade surplus amounted to MYR 132.6 billion, with both exports and imports experiencing declines of 3.7% and 3.6%, respectively.