Malaysia: Lime Market 2024

Lime Market Size in Malaysia

The Malaysian lime market contracted to $X in 2021, shrinking by -7.2% against the previous year. In general, consumption showed a perceptible setback. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Lime Production in Malaysia

In value terms, lime production dropped to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a noticeable reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 8.9% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Lime Exports

Exports from Malaysia

In 2021, overseas shipments of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime increased by 5.2% to X tons, rising for the fifth year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, total exports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +114.4% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 59% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, lime exports rose significantly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +87.9% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 41%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Papua New Guinea (X tons), Indonesia (X tons) and Australia (X tons) were the main destinations of lime exports from Malaysia, together comprising 62% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Australia (with a CAGR of +93.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for lime exported from Malaysia were Australia ($X), Papua New Guinea ($X) and Singapore ($X), together comprising 55% of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, Australia, with a CAGR of +90.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average lime export price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a mild downturn. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Singapore ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Papua New Guinea ($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 Singapore (+2.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Lime Imports

Imports into Malaysia

In 2021, overseas purchases of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime decreased by -2.9% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a modest expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 138%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lime imports totaled $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate slight growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 104% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Spain (X tons) constituted the largest lime supplier to Malaysia, with a 79% share of total imports. Moreover, lime imports from Spain exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Vietnam (X tons), eightfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Belgium (X tons), with a 4.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Spain stood at +29.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Vietnam (-17.4% per year) and Belgium (-17.0% per year).

In value terms, Spain ($X) constituted the largest supplier of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime to Malaysia, comprising 62% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Belgium ($X), with a 6.9% share of total imports. It was followed by Myanmar, with a 6.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Spain stood at +18.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Belgium (-15.2% per year) and Myanmar (+157.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average lime import price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 5.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 32%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Myanmar ($X per ton), while the price for Vietnam ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Myanmar (+19.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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