Pulau Pinang emerged as Malaysia’s leading export powerhouse in early 2026, recording the strongest export growth among all states and playing a key role in driving the country’s trade expansion.
According to the latest data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), the state posted a remarkable 51.6% year-on-year increase in exports in January 2026, significantly higher than the national export growth rate of 19.6%.
The strong performance reinforces Penang’s position as the backbone of Malaysia’s export sector.
In January 2026 alone, the state recorded RM65.0 billion in export value, the largest exporting state in the country.
Penang accounted for 44.2% of Malaysia’s total exports, meaning nearly half of the nation’s exports were generated from the state.
Malaysia’s overall export performance also showed solid momentum. National exports reached RM146.9 billion in January 2026, representing a significant increase of RM24.1 billion compared with the same month in 2025.
The surge in Penang’s exports was one of the biggest contributors to this growth, highlighting the state’s importance to the country’s trade performance.
Other major exporting states also contributed to Malaysia’s export landscape, although their shares were smaller compared to Penang.
Johor ranked second, accounting for 19.7% of total exports, followed by Selangor with 14.2%, Sarawak with 6.1%, and W.P. Kuala Lumpur with 3.5%. Together, these five states dominate Malaysia’s export activities and form the core of the country’s trade-driven economy.
Pulau Pinang has long been known as one of the country’s most important industrial hubs, attracting multinational companies and global supply chain investments.
Shahriena Shukri is a journalist covering business and economic news in Malaysia, providing insights on market trends, corporate developments, and financial policies. More about Shahriena Shukri.
