Malaysia - Import

Imports to Malaysia slumped 8.7 percent from a year earlier to MYR 73.3 billion in October 2019, compared to forecasts of a 6.7 percent drop and September's 2.4 percent rise. Imports of intermediate goods declined 5.1 percent, mainly attributed to parts & accessories of capital goods and fuel & lubricants, primary. However, imports of industries supplies, processed and industries supplies, primary increased. Also, imports of consumption goods went down 5.0 percent, led by non-durables, semi-durables and durables. However, food & beverages, primary, mainly for household consumption jumped. Capital goods arrivals decreased 11.5 percent, due to both capital goods, except transport equipment, and transport equipment industrial. By country, purchases from China fell 6.2 percent, on the back of electrical & electronic products (-9.3 percent); and those from Singapore plunged 10.9 percent, led by refined petroleum products (-29.0 percent). Conversely, imports from the US advanced 7.5 percent.

Malaysia's imports rose by 2.4 percent year-on-year to MYR 69.4 billion in September 2019, beating market expectations of a 1.1 percent growth and shifting from a 12.5 percent slump in August. Purchase of intermediate goods grew 11.1%, mainly attributed to fuel & lubricants, primary (86.4%), parts & accessories of capital goods except transport equipment (7.9%), fuels & lubricants, processed, others (65.2%), and industrial supplies (36.3%). Also, imports of consumption goods went up 15.1%, mainly attributed to semi-durable (27.4%) and durable (32.9%), non-durable (12%) and food &beverages, processed (8.3%). In addition, arrivals of capital goods increased 7.3%, led by both capital goods capital goods except transport equipment (6.1%) and transport equipment, industrial (46.2%). By country, purchases from China surged 9.7%, mainly due to refined petroleum (152.4%) and E & E products (4.6%). In contrast, imports fell from the ASEAN countries (-7.4%), and the US (-0.04%).

Malaysia's imports tumbled 12.5% year-on-year in to MYR 70.4 billion in August 2019, compared to market expectations of a 8% drop and after a 5.9% fall in the previous month. Imports of intermediate goods slumped 13.9%, mainly attributed to industrial supplies (-10.7%), parts & accessories of capital goods except transport equipment (-12%), fuel & lubricants (-38%) and fuel & lubricants (-97.4%). Imports of capital goods tumbled 31%, due to a decline in both capital goods except transport equipment (-23.3%) and transport equipment, industrial (-70.6%). Also, purchases of consumption goods shrank 12.8%, mainly attributed to semi-durables (-30.7%) and durables (-38.4%). By country, purchases from China contracted 11.5%, mainly due to electrical & electronic/E&E products. Also, imports from Singapore shrank 18.1%, dragged down by refined petroleum products E & E products. In additions, arrivals from the ASEAN countries slumped 16.9% and those from the EU countries tumbled 20.3%.

Imports to Malaysia declined by 5.9 percent year-on-year to MYR 73.7 billion in July 2019, better than market expectations of a 7 percent drop and compared to a 9.2 percent fall in the previous month. This marked the second straight month yearly drop in inbound shipments, as purchases shrank for all categories. Imports of capital goods tumbled 13.9 percent, due to decline in both capital goods except transport equipment (-6.3%) and transport equipment, industrial (-58.8%). Also, purchases of intermediate goods decreased by 3.4 percent, mainly attributed to industrial supplies, processed (-8.9%) and parts and accessories of capital goods (-19.6%). In addition, imports of consumption goods contracted 5.0 percent, driven by semi-durables (-18.9%) and durables (-17.9%). Arrivals fell from China (-2.8%) and Singapore (-20.2%).

Imports to Malaysia declined unexpectedly by 9.2 percent year-on-year to MYR 65.9 billion in June 2019, missing market expectations of a 1.1 percent growth and shifting from a 1.4 percent gain in the previous month. This marked the first yearly drop in inbound shipments since March, as purchases shrank for all categories. Imports of capital goods tumbled 23.6 percent, dragged down by both capital goods except transport equipment (-20.2%) and transport equipment, industrial (-44.6%). Also, purchases of intermediate goods decreased by 2.4 percent, mainly attributed to industrial supplies, processed (-11.3%). In addition, imports of consumption goods contracted 5.4 percent, driven by semi-durables (-19.6%) and durables (-13.8%). Arrivals fell from China (-12.6%) and Singapore (-14.3%). For the first half 2019, purchases dropped 1.8 percent from the same period the prior year.

Imports to Malaysia increased by 1.4 percent year-on-year to MYR 75.1 billion in May 2019, easing from a 4.4 percent growth in April, missing market expectations of a 2.6 percent rise. Purchases of intermediate goods rose 6.4 percent, led by industrial supplies (16.1 percent), parts & accessories of transport equipment (28.8 percent), and fuel & lubricants, others (38.8 percent). Also, inbound shipments of consumption goods expanded 10.9 percent, driven by food & beverages, processed, mainly for household consumption (19.2 percent), non-durable (13.2 percent), and durable (12.3 percent). On the other hand, purchases of capital goods shrank 5.9 percent, mostly due to transport equipment (-60.1 percent). Imports rose from both the ASEAN countries (4.4 percent) and the EU (6.2 percent). In contrast, purchases fell from China (-2.1 percent) and Singapore (-5.8 percent).