FX.co ★ Malaysia Imports Grow the Most in 4 Months

Malaysia’s imports rose 10.4% year-on-year in March 2026, accelerating from an 8.2% increase in February and marking the fastest pace since November. The stronger import performance points to resilient domestic demand despite ongoing disruptions to global trade flows stemming from the Iran conflict.

By broad economic category and end use, imports of capital goods surged 24.7%, while purchases of consumption goods and intermediate goods declined by 7.8% and 1.1%, respectively.

By sector, manufacturing imports expanded 16.4%, driven mainly by electrical and electronics (E&E) products (up 29.3%) and machinery and equipment (up 22.0%). In contrast, mining imports slumped 25.7%, weighed down by a 60.6% drop in crude petroleum. Agricultural imports also fell sharply, plunging 29.5% amid steep declines in natural rubber (down 30.3%) and palm oil (down 26.4%).

By trading partner, imports increased from China (27.8%), Japan (6.5%), Vietnam (47.3%), the United States (12.3%), the European Union (0.4%), and ASEAN (16.4%). Imports from Australia and India both contracted by 5.2%.

For the first quarter of 2026 (January–March), total imports rose 7.7% year-on-year to MYR 363.3 billion.