Malaysia's Total Trade Dips In October To RM239.5 Billion: DOSM

The Department Of Statistics Malaysia released the latest trade figures for October with the country reaching a total trade RM239.5 billion with exports and imports recorded at RM126.2 billion and RM113.3 billion, respectively. 

Exports were valued at RM126.2 billion in October 2023, a decrease of RM5.8 billion (-4.4%) as compared to the same month of the previous year. The decrease in exports was attributed to the lower exports in most states such as Johor (-RM2.4 billion), Sarawak (-RM1.9 billion), Sabah (-RM1.5 billion), Melaka (-RM495.0 million), Negeri Sembilan (-RM328.9 million), W.P. Labuan (-RM241.6 million), W.P. Kuala Lumpur (-RM196.3 million) and Perlis (-RM12.7 million). However, exports increased in Kedah by RM745.2 million, Selangor (+RM478.6 million), Terengganu (+RM281.5 million), Pahang (+RM94.2 million), Pulau Pinang (+RM67.3 million), Perak (+RM60.6 million) and Kelantan (+RM23.3 million).

Pulau Pinang remained as the top exporter with 30.9% share, followed by Johor (20.9%), Selangor (18.2%), Sarawak (7.9%) and W.P. Kuala Lumpur (4.3%). 

At the same time, imports also decreased RM193.1 million (-0.2%) in October 2023 as compared to the same month in 2022. The decrease in imports was attributed by the lower imports in most states such as Johor (-RM4.3 billion), Pulau Pinang (-RM1.9 billion), Kedah (-RM1.2 billion), Melaka (-RM487.2 million), Sarawak (-RM64.5 million) and Kelantan (-RM5.3 million). However, imports increased in W.P. Kuala Lumpur by RM2.9 billion, Selangor (+RM2.2 billion), Negeri Sembilan (+RM1.4 billion), Pahang (+RM743.5 million), Perak (+RM328.2 million), W.P. Labuan (+RM304.3 million), Sabah (+RM229.3 million), Terengganu (+RM99.3 million) and Perlis (+RM7.9 million). 

Selangor continued to dominate Malaysia's imports with a share of 25.9%, followed by Johor (24.3%), Pulau Pinang (19.2%), W.P. Kuala Lumpur (8.2%) and Kedah (5.5%).