Malaysia: Cotton Fabric Market 2025

Cotton Fabric Market Size in Malaysia

In 2021, the Malaysian cotton fabric market decreased by -5.9% to $X, falling for the fourth year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, consumption saw a deep contraction. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Cotton Fabric Production in Malaysia

In value terms, cotton fabric production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 56% against the previous year. Cotton fabric production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Cotton Fabric Exports

Exports from Malaysia

For the third year in a row, Malaysia recorded decline in overseas shipments of woven fabrics of cotton, which decreased by -26% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, exports recorded a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 10% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cotton fabric exports shrank remarkably to $X in 2021. Overall, exports recorded a abrupt downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Singapore (X tons), Bangladesh (X tons) and Turkey (X tons) were the main destinations of cotton fabric exports from Malaysia, with a combined 87% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, Iran, Russia, India, Ethiopia, China and Lao People's Democratic Republic, which together accounted for a further 56%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Iran (with a CAGR of +1,674.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for cotton fabric exported from Malaysia were Singapore ($X), Bangladesh ($X) and Vietnam ($X), with a combined 98% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Turkey, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, Ethiopia, China, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Iran and India, which together accounted for a further 53%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Iran, with a CAGR of +1,018.2%, recorded 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

The average cotton fabric export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 11% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a perceptible reduction. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Ethiopia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to India ($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 Russia (+11.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Cotton Fabric Imports

Imports into Malaysia

In 2021, cotton fabric imports into Malaysia shrank markedly to X tons, which is down by -67.4% on the previous year. In general, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 48% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cotton fabric imports declined dramatically to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 64%. Imports peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) constituted the largest cotton fabric supplier to Malaysia, accounting for a 49% share of total imports. Moreover, cotton fabric imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, India (X tons), fivefold. Pakistan (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 8.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China totaled -4.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+20.7% per year) and Pakistan (+4.3% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of woven fabrics of cotton to Malaysia, comprising 37% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by India ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Pakistan, with an 8.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from China amounted to -11.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+22.8% per year) and Pakistan (+7.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average cotton fabric import price amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -18.9% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a perceptible reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the average import price increased by 11%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a somewhat 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 Japan ($X per ton), while the price for Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Japan (+2.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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