KUALA LUMPUR: Exports in October shrank by 8.6 per cent while imports decreased by 6.6 per cent compared to a year ago.
The International Trade and Industry Ministry said total trade was also lower by 7.7 per cent to RM128.63 billion.
It attributed the lower export numbers to the high base effect.
"Malaysia's exports in October 2016 amounted to RM69.2 billion, the highest recorded thus far in 2016," it announced.
During the month, exports of manufactured goods dropped by 6.7 per cent with lower exports of manufactures of metal, machinery, equipment and parts, petroleum products, rubber products, chemicals and chemical products and wood products.
Exports of agricultural goods rose while exports of mining goods dropped due to the decline in exports of LNG and crude petroleum.
In terms of markets, MITI said exports to ASEAN declined by 2.6 per cent, exports to the EU contracted by 12 per cent, exports to the USA shrank by 3.5 per cent and exports to Japan decreased by 29.1 per cent.
After seven consecutive months of decline, exports to China in October rebounded 3.4 per cent led by higher exports of electrical and electronic products.