Malaysia Trade Trends July 2025

According to data released by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, Malaysia’s international trade grew by 4.7 per cent in the first seven months of 2025. Exports rose by 4.3 per cent, while imports expanded by 5.1 per cent during the same period.

In July alone, exports increased by 6.8 per cent, while imports went up by 0.6 per cent.

Exports of electrical and electronic (E&E) products surged by 22.5 per cent year-on-year compared to July 2024, remaining the key driver of Malaysia’s export growth. Other strong performers included optical and scientific equipment, processed foods, machinery and equipment, and palm oil–based manufactured products. Several of these categories recorded their highest export values to date.

By destination, exports to all major trading partners including ASEAN, China, the United States, and the European Union, registered positive growth. Exports to Free Trade Agreement partners also expanded, with notable gains in shipments to Mexico and the Republic of Korea, largely driven by E&E products.

In its latest outlook, the International Monetary Fund estimated Malaysia’s GDP growth rate to be 4.1 per cent in 2025.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a political and economic union of ten members with 667 million people and a territory of 4.5 million km², is currently the third-largest economy in Asia-Pacific and the fifth-largest in the world. The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) has a combined GDP of USD 4.2 trillion, according to estimates for 2024.