Overview

Sales in the Manufacturing sector registered RM173.1 billion, expanded 5.3 per cent in March 2026

The Manufacturing sector posted sales value of RM173.1 billion in March 2026, grew 5.3 per cent (February 2026: 3.9%). The growth in sales value within the Manufacturing sector was mainly contributed by the Electrical & electronics products sub-sector, rose 13.3 per cent in March 2026 (February 2026: 13.8%). The growth was further supported by the Food, beverages & tobacco sub-sector and Non-metallic mineral products, basic metal & fabricated metal products sub-sector, which increased by 7.8 per cent (February 2026: 2.8%) and 3.7 per cent (February 2026: 3.2%), respectively. In comparison by month-on-month, sales value rose by 8.7 per cent, from RM159.2 billion recorded in February 2026.

Sales value growth in the export-oriented industries which accounting for 71.7 per cent of total sales, expanded by 6.5 per cent in March 2026 (February 2026: 4.5%). The performance was led by the increase in the Manufacture of computer, electronics & optical products at 15.2 per cent (February 2026: 16.1%). Besides that, the Manufacture of vegetable &animal oils and fats also registered an increment at 10.2 per cent (February 2026: -0.9%), while Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c. grew 2.7 per cent (February 2026: 1.5%). As compared to the sales value in the preceding month, the export-oriented industries surged by 10.7 per cent.

The domestic-oriented industries increased 2.5 per cent in March 2026, after registered 2.7 per cent in the previous month. The performance was mainly supported by the growth in the Manufacture of food processing products industry at 5.0 per cent in March 2026 (February 2026: 6.3%); as well as in the Manufacture of basic metals (3.6%) and Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products (3.2%). Furthermore, the domestic-oriented industries expanded 4.0 per cent, based on month-on-month growth.

A total of 2.4 million employees were recorded in this sector during March 2026, augmented by 1.1 per cent (February 2026: 1.0%). The augmentation was mainly driven by the Food, beverages & tobacco (2.1%); followed by the Electrical & electronics products sub-sector and Non-metallic mineral products, basic metal & fabricated metal products sub-sector, which both recorded 1.4 per cent. Meanwhile, the number of employees in this sector decreased 0.1 per cent on month-on-month comparison.

The salaries & wages paid in the Manufacturing sector also posted an expansion of 2.2 per cent (February 2026: 2.0%), amounted to RM8.56 billion in March 2026. As compared to the amount recorded in the prior month, the salaries & wages paid declined 0.2 per cent. Subsequently, the sales value per employee registered at RM71,705 (4.2%), while the average salaries & wages per employee was RM3,547, remain to increase at 1.1 per cent year-on-year.

For the first quarter of 2026, the Manufacturing sector recorded sales value of RM501.5 billion, grew 5.5 per cent (Q4 2025: 5.8%). The number of employees upticked by 1.1 per cent to 2.4 million persons, while salaries & wages increased by 2.3 per cent to RM25.9 billion. Moreover, the sales value per employee stood at RM207,779, increased 4.4 per cent.

The full publication of the Monthly Manufacturing Statistics, March 2026 can be downloaded through eStatistik portal.

Data for March 2026 is provisional. The data will be updated based on the latest available figures and subsequently published in the April 2026 publication.

Released by:

DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS MALAYSIA

8 May 2026

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