Malaysia’s total trade in 2023 amounted to RM2.6 trillion with exports of RM1.4 trillion and imports worth RM1.2 trillion. Five (5) states namely Pulau Pinang, Selangor, Johor, W.P. Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak contributed 80.9 per cent from total trade in 2023.
The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) reported today on the release of Malaysia External Trade Statistics By State 2024 for reference year 2023.
Chief Statistician Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin said exports valued at RM1.4 trillion in 2023, dropped 8.0 per cent as compared to the previous year. Lower exports were recorded in most states such as Johor (-RM31.9 billion), Selangor (-RM21.2 billion), Sarawak (-RM20.3 billion), Pulau Pinang (-RM20.2 billion), Sabah (-RM17.8 billion), W.P. Labuan (-RM7.5 billion),
Perak (-RM5.1 billion), Pahang (-RM3.0 billion), Melaka (-RM2.4 billion), Terengganu (-RM1.7 billion) and Perlis (-RM134.1 million). However, exports increased in Kedah (+RM6.2 billion), W.P. Kuala Lumpur (+RM418.7 million), Negeri Sembilan (+RM369.4 million) and Kelantan (+RM354.6 million).
Pulau Pinang remained as the top exporter with a share of 31.4 per cent, followed by Johor (20.3%), Selangor (17.7%), Sarawak (7.8%) and W.P. Kuala Lumpur (4.6%). Strong expansion of exports was underpinned by electronic integrated circuits products mainly in Pulau Pinang and Selangor.
Meanwhile, refined petroleum products were the main contributors of exports in Johor while liquefied natural gas (LNG) was the main contributor of exports in Sarawak.
Looking at the performance of imports by state, Dr. Mohd Uzir said imports in 2023 registered a decrease of 6.4 per cent or RM82.3 billion as compared to the previous year. The decrease in imports was led by lower imports by most states namely Pulau Pinang (-RM43.8 billion), Johor (-RM13.9 billion), Selangor (-RM9.9 billion), Kedah (-RM7.8 billion), Negeri Sembilan (-RM4.5 billion), Sarawak (-RM3.3 billion), Perak (-RM2.7 billion), W.P. Labuan (-RM1.3 billion), Melaka (-RM923.3 million) and Perlis (-RM132.8 million).
However, imports increased in W.P. Kuala Lumpur (+RM5.1 billion), Pahang (+RM1.9 billion), Terengganu (+RM1.0 billion), Kelantan (+RM246.3 million) and Sabah (+RM209.3 million).
Selangor remained as the largest contributor of imports with a share of 26.6 per cent, followed by Johor (22.4%), Pulau Pinang (20.7%), W.P. Kuala Lumpur (7.6%) and Kedah (5.4%). Higher imports recorded in Selangor and Johor was contributed by refined petroleum products.
In addition, electronic integrated circuits were the main contributors of imports in Pulau Pinang and Kedah. Meanwhile, telecommunication equipment, parts and accessories were the main import commodity in W.P. Kuala Lumpur.
