Malaysia recorded a robust 15.7% year-on-year export growth in October 2025, reaching a record high of RM148.32 billion and marking the fourth consecutive month of expansion, according to data released by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry.
The manufacturing sector drove this exceptional performance with a 15.7% increase to RM126.68 billion, propelled by unprecedented demand for electrical and electronic products as well as optical and scientific equipment, both achieving their highest export values to date.
Total trade expanded 13.6% to RM277.65 billion while imports rose 11.2% to RM129.33 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of RM18.99 billion and extending Malaysia's uninterrupted surplus streak to 66 consecutive months since May 2020.
Following this stronger-than-expected performance that nearly doubled Bloomberg's consensus forecast of under 8%, leading economists including those from Kenanga Research, MBSB Research, and RHB Research have revised their 2025 full-year export growth projections upward to between 6% and 6.8%.
For the January to October 2025 period, Malaysia achieved record cumulative values with total trade rising 5.4% to RM2.512 trillion, exports climbing 6% to RM1.319 trillion, and notable export gains recorded across major trading partners including ASEAN, China, the European Union, and Taiwan, with shipments to Taiwan and Hong Kong reaching all-time highs.
