Malaysia: Merchandise exports rise at a softer rate in January
Latest reading: Merchandise exports rose 5.2% in annual terms in January, following December’s 22.1% jump. January’s outturn marked the softest growth since June 2024. Meanwhile, merchandise imports grew 11.3% over the same month last year in January (December: +16.9% yoy).
As a result, the merchandise trade balance deteriorated from the previous month, recording a USD 0.8 billion surplus in January (December 2024: USD 4.3 billion surplus; January 2024: USD 2.2 billion surplus). Lastly, the trend deteriorated, with the 12-month trailing merchandise trade balance recording a USD 28.7 billion surplus in January, compared to the USD 30.0 billion surplus in December.