Malaysia Export-to-Import Ratio Dashboard

Malaysia Trade Intelligence

Compare Malaysia’s exports against imports using export-to-import ratios, trade balance, sector ratios, and major trade categories based on official Malaysia open data.

Latest Malaysia Export-to-Import Ratio: April 2026

The figures below compare Malaysia’s total exports with total imports for the latest available reporting month.

Total Exports RM 182,742,652,081 (RM 182.74 billion)

Total Imports RM 153,990,565,075 (RM 153.99 billion)

National Export-to-Import Ratio 1.19 : 1

Trade Surplus RM 28,752,087,006 (RM 28.75 billion)

Sector Ratio Highlights: March 2026

The cards below show the strongest export-oriented and import-oriented sectors by export-to-import ratio.

Highest Export-to-Import Ratio Animal and Vegetable Oils, Fats and Waxes

Ratio 4.93 : 1

Lowest Export-to-Import Ratio Food and Live Animals

Ratio 0.60 : 1

Malaysia Sectors Ranked by Export-to-Import Ratio

The cards below rank major trade sectors from the highest export-to-import ratio to the lowest.

Rank 1

Animal and Vegetable Oils, Fats and Waxes

Export-to-Import Ratio 4.93 : 1

Trade Orientation Export-Oriented

Exports RM 5,872,816,498 (RM 5.87 billion)

Imports RM 1,190,951,832 (RM 1.19 billion)

Total Trade RM 7,063,768,330 (RM 7.06 billion)

Trade Surplus RM 4,681,864,666 (RM 4.68 billion)

Rank 2

Food and Live Animals

Export-to-Import Ratio 0.60 : 1

Trade Orientation Import-Oriented

Exports RM 4,008,837,738 (RM 4.01 billion)

Imports RM 6,641,395,675 (RM 6.64 billion)

Total Trade RM 10,650,233,413 (RM 10.65 billion)

Trade Deficit RM -2,632,557,937 (RM -2.63 billion)

Rank 3

Beverages and Tobacco

Export-to-Import Ratio 0.88 : 1

Trade Orientation Import-Oriented

Exports RM 223,670,990 (RM 223.67 million)

Imports RM 255,554,979 (RM 255.55 million)

Total Trade RM 479,225,969 (RM 479.23 million)

Trade Deficit RM -31,883,989 (RM -31.88 million)

Rank 4

Crude Materials, Inedible, Except Fuels

Export-to-Import Ratio 0.69 : 1

Trade Orientation Import-Oriented

Exports RM 3,349,654,797 (RM 3.35 billion)

Imports RM 4,874,562,730 (RM 4.87 billion)

Total Trade RM 8,224,217,527 (RM 8.22 billion)

Trade Deficit RM -1,524,907,933 (RM -1.52 billion)

Rank 5

Mineral Fuels, Lubricants and Related Materials

Export-to-Import Ratio 1.45 : 1

Trade Orientation Export-Oriented

Exports RM 16,011,233,441 (RM 16.01 billion)

Imports RM 11,046,014,791 (RM 11.05 billion)

Total Trade RM 27,057,248,232 (RM 27.06 billion)

Trade Surplus RM 4,965,218,650 (RM 4.97 billion)

Rank 6

Chemicals and Related Products

Export-to-Import Ratio 0.83 : 1

Trade Orientation Import-Oriented

Exports RM 8,056,602,553 (RM 8.06 billion)

Imports RM 9,662,122,873 (RM 9.66 billion)

Total Trade RM 17,718,725,426 (RM 17.72 billion)

Trade Deficit RM -1,605,520,320 (RM -1.61 billion)

Rank 7

Manufactured Goods Classified Chiefly by Material

Export-to-Import Ratio 1.12 : 1

Trade Orientation Export-Oriented

Exports RM 11,302,933,756 (RM 11.30 billion)

Imports RM 10,101,180,058 (RM 10.10 billion)

Total Trade RM 21,404,113,814 (RM 21.40 billion)

Trade Surplus RM 1,201,753,698 (RM 1.20 billion)

Rank 8

Machinery and Transport Equipment

Export-to-Import Ratio 1.18 : 1

Trade Orientation Export-Oriented

Exports RM 80,492,049,894 (RM 80.49 billion)

Imports RM 68,501,913,346 (RM 68.50 billion)

Total Trade RM 148,993,963,240 (RM 148.99 billion)

Trade Surplus RM 11,990,136,548 (RM 11.99 billion)

Rank 9

Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles

Export-to-Import Ratio 2.11 : 1

Trade Orientation Export-Oriented

Exports RM 17,817,880,070 (RM 17.82 billion)

Imports RM 8,429,470,610 (RM 8.43 billion)

Total Trade RM 26,247,350,680 (RM 26.25 billion)

Trade Surplus RM 9,388,409,460 (RM 9.39 billion)

Rank 10

Commodities and Transactions Not Elsewhere Classified

Export-to-Import Ratio 0.46 : 1

Trade Orientation Import-Oriented

Exports RM 1,616,624,419 (RM 1.62 billion)

Imports RM 3,495,919,543 (RM 3.50 billion)

Total Trade RM 5,112,543,962 (RM 5.11 billion)

Trade Deficit RM -1,879,295,124 (RM -1.88 billion)

Source: Official Malaysia open data from data.gov.my and the Department of Statistics Malaysia. Sector figures are grouped by Standard International Trade Classification sections. Recent figures may be provisional and subject to revision.

Understanding Malaysia’s Export-to-Import Ratio

Malaysia’s export-to-import ratio compares the value of exports with the value of imports. While trade balance measures the difference between exports and imports, the export-to-import ratio shows the relationship between the two values in a simple proportion.

For example, a ratio of 1.50 means exports are 1.5 times the value of imports. A ratio above 1.00 means exports are greater than imports, while a ratio below 1.00 means imports are greater than exports. A ratio of exactly 1.00 indicates that exports and imports are equal.

This dashboard helps visitors understand Malaysia’s overall export-to-import position and compare major trade sectors by ratio. It is useful for exporters, importers, manufacturers, logistics providers, freight forwarders, procurement teams, analysts, investors, researchers, students, and business owners.

Why Export-to-Import Ratio Matters

The export-to-import ratio is useful because it normalizes trade performance. A sector may have a large trade value, but the ratio helps show whether it is more export-oriented or import-dependent. This can reveal a different picture compared with export value or trade balance alone.

A high export-to-import ratio may indicate strong overseas demand, domestic production strength, or sector competitiveness. A low ratio may indicate stronger import reliance, domestic demand, machinery needs, fuel requirements, industrial input demand, or dependence on overseas suppliers.

How Businesses Can Use This Dashboard

Exporters can use the ratio to identify sectors where Malaysia exports significantly more than it imports. Importers can use it to identify sectors where Malaysia relies more heavily on goods from overseas. Logistics providers can use the information to understand which sectors may generate more outbound or inbound cargo movement.

For companies involved in bulk liquid logistics, food-grade cargo, edible oils, chemicals, fuels, industrial materials, machinery, manufactured goods, and containerized cargo, export-to-import ratios provide a practical way to understand trade orientation by sector.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is export-to-import ratio?

Export-to-import ratio is calculated by dividing exports by imports.

What does a ratio above 1.00 mean?

A ratio above 1.00 means exports are higher than imports.

What does a ratio below 1.00 mean?

A ratio below 1.00 means imports are higher than exports.

Is export-to-import ratio the same as trade balance?

No. Trade balance subtracts imports from exports, while export-to-import ratio divides exports by imports.

How often is the data updated?

The official trade data is generally updated monthly. Recent figures may be provisional and subject to revision.

Data Notice:
The figures displayed on this page are based on official Malaysia open data and are provided for general information and reference. Recent figures may be provisional and subject to revision by the official data provider.