Malaysia Imports Beat Expectations

2026-09-18 04:18 By Czyrill Jean Coloma 1 min. read

Malaysia’s imports surged 41.1% year-on-year to MYR 163 billion in August 2026, surpassing market expectations of 33.3% and accelerating from 36.4% in July.

The latest reading marked the twelfth consecutive month of annual growth, underscoring resilient domestic demand.

Import growth was driven primarily by the manufacturing sector, where purchases rose 43.2%, led by the manufacture of electrical and electronic products (89.3%), machinery, equipment and parts (22%), and petroleum products (26.6%).

Imports for the mining sector also climbed sharply (60.1%), supported by a strong increase in crude petroleum purchases (87%).

In contrast, imports declined for agriculture (-2.9%) and other sectors (-5.9%).

By trading partner, imports recorded the strongest increases from China (61.3%), followed by Taiwan (68.9%), Singapore (59.1%), and the US (3.2%).

For the January-August period, total imports reached MYR 1,157.6 billion, from MYR 946.1 billion in the corresponding period a year earlier.



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Malaysia Imports Beat Expectations
Malaysia’s imports surged 41.1% year-on-year to MYR 163 billion in August 2026, surpassing market expectations of 33.3% and accelerating from 36.4% in July. The latest reading marked the twelfth consecutive month of annual growth, underscoring resilient domestic demand. Import growth was driven primarily by the manufacturing sector, where purchases rose 43.2%, led by the manufacture of electrical and electronic products (89.3%), machinery, equipment and parts (22%), and petroleum products (26.6%). Imports for the mining sector also climbed sharply (60.1%), supported by a strong increase in crude petroleum purchases (87%). In contrast, imports declined for agriculture (-2.9%) and other sectors (-5.9%). By trading partner, imports recorded the strongest increases from China (61.3%), followed by Taiwan (68.9%), Singapore (59.1%), and the US (3.2%). For the January-August period, total imports reached MYR 1,157.6 billion, from MYR 946.1 billion in the corresponding period a year earlier.
2026-09-18
Malaysia Imports Hit New Peak
Malaysia's imports rose 36.4% year-on-year to a record MYR 171.1 billion in July 2026, following a 43.9% jump in June, which had marked the fastest growth since August 2022. The latest result extended the streak of annual growth to 11 straight months, surpassing market estimates of a 32.4% rise, amid resilient domestic demand. Purchases grew for intermediate goods (40.8%), capital goods (24.0%), consumption goods (5.2%), and dual-use goods (105.9%). By sector, manufacturing imports jumped 41.5%, driven by solid gains in E&E products (58.1%) and petroleum (51.5%). Agricultural imports rose 10.9%, led by other edible oils (104.5%). In contrast, mining imports fell 5.3%, mainly dragged by lower purchases of crude oil (-44.4%). Imports rose from China (60.1%), Japan (12.1%), India (47.5%), South Korea (113.3%), ASEAN countries (44.4%), the U.S. (19.6%), and the EU (23.4%), but fell from Taiwan (-5.4%). In the first seven months of 2026, total imports rose 19.8% yoy to MYR 994.7 billion.
2026-08-20
Malaysia Imports Notch Fresh Peak
Malaysia's imports surged 43.9% yoy to a new record of MYR 163.0 billion in June 2026, sharply accelerating from a 14.4% gain in May and marking the fastest growth since August 2022. The strong result underscored resilient domestic demand, as economic activity stayed firm and business spending strengthened. Purchases grew for intermediate goods (41.3%), capital goods (67.4%), consumption goods (17.2%), and dual-use goods (31.9%). By sector, manufacturing imports jumped 50.8%, driven by strong gains in E&E products (80.2%) and petroleum (66.0%). Mining imports edged up 1.8%, led by higher purchases of crude oil (7.0%) and metalliferous ores and metal scrap (7.9%). Agricultural imports rose 3.4%, led by other edible oils (47.9%) and palm oils (34.8%). Imports grew from China (56.6%), Japan (20.3%), India (112.3%), ASEAN countries (59.3%), the U.S. (38.4%), and the EU (28.0%), but fell from Australia (-11.2%). In the first half of 2026, total imports rose 16.9% yoy to MYR 824.4 billion.
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