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 Import Growth Highest Since 2022
Malaysia’s imports surged 52.7% year-on-year to MYR 181.4 billion in September 2026, accelerating from 41.1% growth in August. The latest reading marked the fastest growth since August 2022 and the thirteenth consecutive month of annual growth. The increase was driven primarily by the manufacturing sector, where purchases climbed 60.3%, led by electronic and electrical products (92.3%), machinery, equipment, and parts (47.4%), and petroleum products (48.5%). Import growth was also recorded in the mining sector (18.5%), with metalliferous ores and metal scrap (119.1%) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) (120.3%) posting strong gains. Imports in the agriculture sector also rose 6.3%. In contrast, imports from other sectors declined 11.1%. By trading partner, imports recorded the strongest increases from China (67.6%), Singapore (90.7%), and Taiwan (55.6%). For the January–September period, total imports reached MYR 1,338.9 billion, up from MYR 1,064.9 billion in the same period last year.
2026-10-19
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.
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