Vietnam–Malaysia Trade Overview: Stable Exports, Slight Decline in Imports

According to the latest data from the General Department of Customs, the total import-export turnover between Vietnam and Malaysia in Q1 2025 reached USD 3.48 billion, down 4.3% compared to the same period in 2024. Notably, while imports from Malaysia dropped by 6.8% (to USD 2.24 billion), Vietnam’s exports to Malaysia increased slightly by 0.4%, reaching USD 1.23 billion.

The structure of traded goods reveals a diversification trend in Vietnam’s exports, whereas Malaysia’s exports to Vietnam remain heavily concentrated in electronics and industrial input materials.

1. Four Leading Export Categories: Electronics and Steel Account for 41% of Total Export Value

Among the 37 key export items Vietnam shipped to Malaysia, electronics and mechanical equipment continued to dominate:

• Computers, electronic products, and components: USD 185 million, up 55.4% YoY — the highest growth among top exports.
• Phones and components: USD 112 million, down 14.4% YoY, but still ranked second.
• Machinery, equipment, tools, and spare parts: USD 105 million, up 12.6%.
• Various types of steel: USD 111.4 million, down 29.9%.

Combined, these four categories brought in USD 514 million — accounting for 41% of Vietnam's total export value to Malaysia in Q1 2025.

2. Apparel and Footwear: Steady Exports with Modest Growth

• Textiles and garments: USD 42 million (+2.9% YoY)
• Footwear: USD 26.5 million (+11.4% YoY)

Though not the highest-value group, textiles and footwear are traditional sectors contributing stable export revenue. With Malaysia's growing appetite for Asian fashion goods, these sectors present opportunities for market expansion.

3. Agriculture and Aquatic Products: Strong Performance, Coffee and Pepper Lead the Surge

Vietnam earned USD 160.4 million from agricultural and seafood exports to Malaysia in Q1 2025 — a 17.4% YoY increase. Key items included:

Coffee stood out with over 60% growth, reaching nearly USD 50 million in export value. Pepper achieved the most significant jump, doubling its export value with 116% growth — indicating high potential in the seasoning and food processing sectors.

4. Breakout Products in Q1/2025: Impressive Growth

• Rubber: Up 448%, from USD 3.2 million to USD 17.5 million.
• Vehicles and spare parts: Up 98%, reaching USD 82.8 million.
• Fertilizers: Up 63.3%, totaling USD 17.8 million.

These surges reflect shifting market demands in Malaysia and highlight Vietnamese exporters' ability to diversify and scale product offerings rapidly.

5. Declining Export Categories: Caution on Global Market Dependence

Several products experienced significant declines:

• Chemical products: Down 80.7%, now at USD 20.6 million.
• Petroleum products: Down 44.8%, at USD 4.36 million.
• Clinker and cement: Down 14.9%, reaching USD 12.3 million.

These drops emphasize the need to restructure export strategies and reduce dependence on volatile commodity prices and energy-related policy changes.

6. Imports from Malaysia: Heavy Focus on Electronics and Industrial Inputs

In Q1/2025, Vietnam imported USD 2.24 billion worth of goods from Malaysia across 39 major categories.

Top 3 Import Categories (Nearly Half of Total Imports)#

Combined, these three groups contributed USD 1.05 billion — equivalent to 47% of Vietnam's total imports from Malaysia, highlighting Malaysia’s strategic role as a technology and electronics supplier.

7. Raw Materials and Industrial Goods: Strong Inflows of Plastics, Gas, and Paper

Other notable imported goods included:

• Other base metals: USD 149 million (+13.1% YoY)
• Plastic materials: USD 109 million (+56% YoY)
• Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG): USD 95.9 million (+9.5% YoY)
• Chemical products: USD 61.7 million (+21.1% YoY)
• Paper: USD 37 million (+47.7% YoY)

These trends underscore rising domestic demand for raw materials in packaging, industrial manufacturing, and energy.

8. Declining Imports: Steel and Transport Components Affected Most#

These declines may be linked to shifting global oil prices, logistics costs, and changing international import policies.

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