20.02.202604:36:35UTC+00Malaysia Imports Grow the Least in 5 Months

Malaysia’s imports rose 5.3% year-on-year to MYR 125.50 billion in January 2026, easing from a downwardly revised 9.5% increase in December and falling short of market expectations of 9.9%. This marked the weakest expansion since the contraction recorded in August, reflecting softer domestic demand at the start of the year.

By end use, imports of consumption goods increased 16.7%, while those of capital goods (-20.7%), intermediate goods (-5.1%), and dual-use goods (-49.4%) all declined.

By sector, manufacturing imports rose 5.4%, driven mainly by higher purchases of electrical and electronic (E&E) products (6.9%) and machinery and equipment (15.2%). Mining imports expanded 11.4%, supported by a sharp increase in metalliferous ores and metal scrap (94.1%). In contrast, agricultural imports fell 12.8%, weighed down by lower imports of palm oil (-31.1%) and natural rubber (-19.0%).

By trading partner, imports increased from China (17.6%), Japan (6.3%), the European Union (11.9%), ASEAN countries (12.0%), Vietnam (24.1%), and India (10.4%), but declined from Taiwan (-13.6%) and the United States (-24.0%).

For the full year 2025, total imports contracted 3.6% to MYR 1.32 trillion.