FX.co ★ Malaysia Import Growth at 3-Month Low

In June 2025, Malaysia's imports saw a modest increase of 1.2% compared to the same month the previous year, reaching MYR 113.13 billion. This figure fell short of market expectations of a 9.7% rise and was a significant slowdown from the 6.6% growth recorded in May. The marginal growth in imports represented the slowest since March, primarily influenced by the ongoing impact of comprehensive U.S. tariffs. Specifically, import demand decreased for intermediate goods (-1.2%) and dual-use goods (-44.7%), whereas there was an uptick in capital goods (21.8%) and consumption goods (1.6%). Sector-wise, imports in the manufacturing sector increased by 3.6%, buoyed by a 10.5% rise in electrical and electronic products and a 15.3% growth in machinery. Agricultural imports rose by 3.5%, largely driven by a 42.7% increase in palm oil products. Conversely, the mining import sector experienced a decline of 11.4%, negatively impacted by significant drops in crude petroleum (-27.8%) and liquefied natural gas (-43.6%). Imports from China (12.6%), the United States (21.1%), Taiwan (10.4%), and South Korea (28.5%) saw increases, while imports from ASEAN nations (-5.6%), Japan (-7.2%), and the European Union (-9.3%) decreased. Over the first half of the year, the total imports grew by 5.9%, amounting to MYR 704.7 billion.