Penang, Johor and Selangor drive 80.5pct of Malaysia's trade

KUALA LUMPUR: Penang, Johor and Selangor accounted for 80.5 per cent of Malaysia's total trade in September 2026, with the three states leading the country's exports and imports amid sharp year-on-year growth.

The Statistics Department said Malaysia's total trade stood at RM396.5 billion during the month, comprising exports of RM215.1 billion and imports of RM181.4 billion.

Penang remained the country's largest exporting state, contributing 52.6 per cent of total exports, followed by Johor at 17.5 per cent, Selangor (11.7 per cent), Sarawak (5.3 per cent) and Kuala Lumpur (3.3 per cent).

The state also accounted for the largest share of imports at 35.3 per cent, followed by Johor (24.2 per cent), Selangor (19.5 per cent), Kuala Lumpur (6.8 per cent) and Kedah (4.3 per cent).

Malaysia's exports surged RM75.9 billion, or 54.5 per cent, compared with September 2025, driven mainly by Penang, which recorded an increase of RM55.5 billion.

Johor followed with an export increase of RM10.2 billion, while Selangor and Sarawak recorded increases of RM4.1 billion and RM3.5 billion, respectively. Kuala Lumpur's exports rose RM2.1 billion.

Other states that recorded higher exports included Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Pahang, Labuan, Kedah and Kelantan.

However, exports declined in Sabah by RM459.1 million, Terengganu by RM383.3 million, Melaka by RM91.7 million and Perlis by RM20.1 million.

Meanwhile, imports rose RM62.6 billion, or 52.7 per cent, year-on-year in September, with Penang again recording the largest increase at RM37.2 billion.

Johor's imports increased RM15.2 billion, followed by Selangor at RM5.6 billion and Kedah at RM2.1 billion.

Imports also increased in Perak, Pahang, Sarawak, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Terengganu, Kuala Lumpur, Sabah, Kelantan and Labuan.

Perlis was the only state to record a decline in imports, which fell RM53.1 million compared with the same month last year.