Malaysia: Potato Market 2025

Potato Market Size in Malaysia

The Malaysian potato market shrank to $X in 2021, with a decrease of -7.3% 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 recorded a perceptible decrease. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Potato Exports

Exports from Malaysia

In 2021, overseas shipments of potatoes increased by 2.2% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a perceptible contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when exports increased by 208%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, potato exports fell rapidly to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a noticeable contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 152%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Singapore (X tons) was the main destination for potato exports from Malaysia, accounting for a 73% share of total exports. Moreover, potato exports to Singapore exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Thailand (X tons), threefold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Singapore amounted to +4.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Thailand (-6.8% per year) and Indonesia (-24.2% per year).

In value terms, Singapore ($X) remains the key foreign market for potato exports from Malaysia, comprising 80% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Thailand ($X), with a 16% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Singapore was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Thailand (-5.8% per year) and Indonesia (-26.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average potato export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -21.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a pronounced reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average export price increased by 7.9% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Indonesia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Thailand ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Thailand (+1.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Potato Imports

Imports into Malaysia

In 2021, approx. X tons of potatoes were imported into Malaysia; waning by -8.1% on the previous year. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, potato imports fell to $X in 2021. Overall, imports showed a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 9.7% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) constituted the largest potato supplier to Malaysia, accounting for a 58% share of total imports. Moreover, potato imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Bangladesh (X tons), fourfold. Pakistan (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 9.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Bangladesh (+10.5% per year) and Pakistan (-1.3% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of potato to Malaysia, comprising 55% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Bangladesh ($X), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by Pakistan, with an 8.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from China amounted to -3.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Bangladesh (+9.2% per year) and Pakistan (-0.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average potato import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, stabilizing at the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a pronounced reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average import price increased by 3.4% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Australia ($X per ton), while the price for Bangladesh ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Pakistan (+1.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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