Malaysia: Tomato Market 2025

Tomato Market Size in Malaysia

The Malaysian tomato market reduced modestly to $X in 2021, falling by -2.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +17.8% against 2019 indices. Tomato consumption peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Tomato Production in Malaysia

In value terms, tomato production fell to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 67%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

In 2021, the average yield of tomatoes in Malaysia fell modestly to X tons per ha, waning by -1.8% against 2020. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. The tomato yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The tomato harvested area in Malaysia declined slightly to X ha in 2021, with a decrease of -2.3% against 2020 figures. In general, the harvested area, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 43% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the tomato harvested area remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Tomato Exports

Exports from Malaysia

In 2021, overseas shipments of tomatoes decreased by -5% to X tons, falling for the fifth consecutive year after five years of growth. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a slight slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, tomato exports fell slightly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports showed a slight downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Singapore (X tons) was the main destination for tomato exports from Malaysia, accounting for a 93% share of total exports. Moreover, tomato exports to Singapore exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Thailand (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Singapore was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Thailand (-2.4% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (-18.2% per year).

In value terms, Singapore ($X) remains the key foreign market for tomato exports from Malaysia, comprising 95% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 2.1% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Singapore was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United Arab Emirates (-21.5% per year) and Thailand (-8.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average tomato export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, stabilizing at the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 13% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Thailand ($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 Singapore (-0.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Tomato Imports

Imports into Malaysia

In 2021, supplies from abroad of tomatoes increased by 292% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, imports enjoyed a remarkable increase. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, tomato imports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, imports posted strong growth. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Thailand (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of tomato to Malaysia, accounting for a 74% share of total imports. Moreover, tomato imports from Thailand exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Australia (X tons), fivefold. Vietnam (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 5.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Thailand stood at +8.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Australia (+45.8% per year) and Vietnam (+11.4% per year).

In value terms, Thailand ($X), Australia ($X) and Vietnam ($X) constituted the largest tomato suppliers to Malaysia, with a combined 86% share of total imports.

Australia, with a CAGR of +30.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among 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 tomato import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, reducing by -26.3% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 an increase of 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2020, and then reduced rapidly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Australia ($X per ton), while the price for Thailand ($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 (-1.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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