Malaysia: Cotton Lint Market 2025

Cotton Lint Market Size in Malaysia

The Malaysian cotton lint market reduced slightly to $X in 2022, dropping by -1.7% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption saw a abrupt descent. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cotton Lint Exports

Exports from Malaysia

In 2022, overseas shipments of cotton lint were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a sharp reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 6,103%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cotton lint exports surged to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, showed a precipitous contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 8,503%. The exports peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Bangladesh (X tons) was the main destination for cotton lint exports from Malaysia, accounting for a 66% share of total exports. Moreover, cotton lint exports to Bangladesh exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Vietnam (X tons), fivefold. Indonesia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 5.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Bangladesh totaled -28.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Vietnam (-10.2% per year) and Indonesia (-36.4% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for cotton lint exported from Malaysia were Vietnam ($X), Bangladesh ($X) and Indonesia ($X), with a combined 75% share of total exports.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Vietnam, with a CAGR of -1.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Export Prices by Country

The average cotton lint export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -21.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a slight contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average export price increased by 39%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2021, and then fell sharply in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Korea ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Bangladesh ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to South Korea (+12.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cotton Lint Imports

Imports into Malaysia

In 2022, overseas purchases of cotton lint were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, imports, however, showed a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 84% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cotton lint imports reduced to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 93%. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Brazil (X tons) constituted the largest cotton lint supplier to Malaysia, accounting for a 43% share of total imports. Moreover, cotton lint imports from Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the United States (X tons), twofold. Australia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Brazil amounted to -3.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (-2.3% per year) and Australia (-1.9% per year).

In value terms, Brazil ($X), the United States ($X) and Australia ($X) constituted the largest cotton lint suppliers to Malaysia, with a combined 71% share of total imports. Spain, Uganda, Cote d'Ivoire, India, Togo, Burkina Faso, Benin and Cameroon lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 14%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Spain, with a CAGR of +31.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average cotton lint import price amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -1.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a slight shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 11% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Burkina Faso ($X per ton), while the price for Cameroon ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Burkina Faso (+5.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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