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.

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.

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.