PPI Increases 1.1 Pct In March 2026, First Increase Since March 2025 - DOSM

KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s Producer Price Index (PPI) increased by 1.1 per cent in March 2026, compared to a 3.4 per cent decline in the previous month, the first increase since March 2025, said the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) today.

Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the mining sector recorded a double-digit increase of 26.5 per cent from a decline of 8.5 per cent in February 2026, largely due to the extraction of crude petroleum (38.5 per cent). 

“In the utilities sector, the water supply index rose by 11.3 per cent, while the electricity and gas supply index increased by 9.6 per cent. Conversely, the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector contracted by 5.6 per cent (February 2026: -8.7 per cent), due to an 11.0 per cent decline in the growing of perennial crops index," he said in a statement today. 

Meanwhile, the manufacturing sector declined slightly by 0.8 per cent (February 2026: -2.7 per cent), mainly due to decreases in manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products (-3.8 per cent) and manufacture of food products (-2.8 per cent) indices.

On a month-on-month basis, the PPI local production increased 4.1 per cent, compared to a 0.5 per cent decrease in the previous month.

Mohd Uzir said apart from the water supply index which declined by 0.6 per cent, all other sectors recorded increases including the mining sector surged by 32.9 per cent (February 2026: 0.4 per cent), fuelled by the increase in the extraction of crude petroleum index, which rose by 43.5 per cent.

“The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector increased by 2.8 per cent (February 2026: 1.0 per cent), supported by the growing of perennial crops (4.4 per cent) index.

“At the same time, the manufacturing sector rose by 1.7 per cent (February 2026: -0.8 per cent), attributed to increases in manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products (7.1 per cent) and manufacture of  food products (2.7 per cent) indices,” he added.

Meanwhile, the electricity and gas supply index increased by 4.9 per cent.

Elaborating further on the PPI Local Production by stage of processing, Mohd Uzir said the Intermediate materials, supplies and components index edged down by 1.3 per cent (February 2026: -3.1 per cent), mainly due to a decline in processed fuel and lubricants (-4.8 per cent).

The finished goods index marginally declined by 0.1 per cent (February 2026: -1.1 per cent), affected by a decline in capital equipment (-0.6 per cent).

“However, the crude materials for further processing index increased by 9.8 per cent (February 2026: -7.0 per cent), supported by non-food materials (10.7 per cent) and foodstuffs and feedstuffs (5.5 per cent),” said Mohd Uzir. 

On a month-on-month basis, all stages of processing recorded increases in March 2026.

DOSM said the crude materials for further processing index increased by 16.4 per cent while intermediate materials, supplies and components and finished goods index rose by 1.7 per cent and 0.7 per cent this month respectively.

-- BERNAMA