Malaysia: Rice Market 2025

Rice Market Size in Malaysia

The Malaysian rice market reduced slightly to $X in 2021, approximately equating the previous year. In general, consumption showed a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 4.8%. Rice consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Rice Production in Malaysia

In value terms, rice production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 5%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

In 2021, the average yield of rice in Malaysia stood at X tons per ha, growing by 2.5% on 2020. Over the period under review, the yield, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the yield increased by 4.4%. Over the period under review, the average rice yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, the rice harvested area in Malaysia reached X ha, approximately equating 2020 figures. Overall, the harvested area, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the harvested area increased by 2.1% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the rice harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Rice Exports

Exports from Malaysia

In 2021, exports of rice from Malaysia surged to X tons, increasing by 83% compared with the previous year's figure. In general, exports saw significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 728% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, rice exports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, exports posted a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 648% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Indonesia (X tons) was the main destination for rice exports from Malaysia, with a 92% share of total exports. It was followed by Singapore (X tons), with a 2.5% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Indonesia stood at +72.9%.

In value terms, Indonesia ($X) remains the key foreign market for rice exports from Malaysia, comprising 91% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Singapore ($X), with a 1.2% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Indonesia amounted to +59.8%.

Export Prices by Country

The average rice export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 4% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a pronounced descent. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Indonesia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Singapore totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Senegal (+0.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Rice Imports

Imports into Malaysia

In 2021, overseas purchases of rice decreased by -5.6% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Over the period under review, total imports indicated slight growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +55.2% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 26% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, rice imports reduced to $X in 2021. Overall, imports showed a slight contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

India (X tons), Pakistan (X tons) and Vietnam (X tons) were the main suppliers of rice imports to Malaysia, with a combined 81% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for India (with a CAGR of +49.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest rice suppliers to Malaysia were India ($X), Vietnam ($X) and Pakistan ($X), together comprising 80% of total imports.

India, with a CAGR of +39.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average rice import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 3.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a perceptible decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 7% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Vietnam (+0.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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