Brown rice market in Malaysia

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the brown rice market in Malaysia declined from 41 350 t in 2018 to 37 606 t in 2020. This period saw a decrease in rice self-sufficiency to 69% in 2018, increasing reliance on imports. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused global supply chain disruptions that affected fertilizer prices and rice availability, contributing to lower production and market volume.

Market volume recovered to 40 960 t in 2021, partly rebounding from the previous year's decline. The government set a target to raise rice self-sufficiency to 75% by 2025 under the 12th Malaysia Plan. In 2022, volume dropped sharply to 33 964 t due to the Russia-Ukraine war and ongoing pandemic effects, which disrupted global supplies and raised input costs, compounded by India's export restrictions on parboiled rice. By 2023, the market grew to 37 314 t as higher imports offset lower domestic production, with consumption continuing to outpace local output.

Looking ahead, the government maintains its 75% self-sufficiency target for 2025. However, production faces challenges such as water shortages in key rice-growing areas like MADA and changing weather patterns, which may impact future supply.

Production brown rice in Malaysia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Malaysia was among the world's leading producers of brown rice from 2018 to 2021, ranking 21st globally by production volume.

Top producers of brown rice, 2018-2021

World map of production of brown rice, 2018-2021

After two consecutive years of decline, brown rice production in Malaysia increased in 2021. That year, the country produced 39 200 tonnes of brown rice, marking an 8.9% rise compared to the previous year. However, looking at the entire 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 3.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 36 000 tonnes, while the sharpest year-on-year drop occurred in 2019 with a 7.1% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Malaysia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports brown rice from Malaysia

Exports in kind, t

The export market for brown rice from Malaysia showed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their peak in 2020 at 10 873 tonnes, then plummeted to just 47 tonnes in 2021—a dramatic 230-fold difference between these two years. The 2021 export volume represented a sharp 99.6% contraction compared to 2020. The most substantial year-on-year increase occurred in 2020, when exports surged by 8 489.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Malaysia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Throughout the 2018-2021 period, Indonesia was Malaysia's primary export partner for brown rice in volume terms, accounting for 96.1% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Malaysia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The export value of brown rice from Malaysia exhibited considerable volatility during these years. Exports reached their highest point in 2020 at 4 568 thousand US dollars, then fell to their lowest level in 2021 at just 39 thousand US dollars—a 117-fold difference between these two years. The 2021 export value represented a significant 99.1% contraction compared to the previous year. The most substantial year-on-year increase occurred in 2020, when export value surged by 3 612.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Malaysia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Indonesia accounted for 88.2% of Malaysia's total brown rice exports in value terms, with the remaining exports distributed among a diverse group of smaller trading partners.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Malaysia in value, 2018-2021

Imports brown rice to Malaysia

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of brown rice into Malaysia showed irregular patterns, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their highest level in 2020 at 12 479 tonnes, while the lowest volume was recorded in 2018—representing a 12.3-fold difference between these two years. In 2021, Malaysia imported 1 808 tonnes of brown rice, which represented an 85.5% decrease compared to the previous year. The most substantial year-on-year increase occurred in 2020, when import volumes rose by 802.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Malaysia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, India remained the dominant source for Malaysia's brown rice imports in volume terms, accounting for 71.0% of total imports, while the remainder was distributed across various other markets.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Malaysia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The import value of brown rice into Malaysia showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their peak in 2020 at 5 770 thousand US dollars, while the lowest value was recorded in 2018—representing a 5.5-fold difference between these two years. In 2021, Malaysia imported brown rice worth 1 134 thousand US dollars, which represented an 80.4% decrease compared to the previous year. The most substantial year-on-year increase occurred in 2020, when import value rose by 261.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Malaysia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, India (50.6% of import value), Thailand (23.9%), and Vietnam (12.5%) formed the main group of sources for Malaysia's brown rice imports in value terms, together accounting for 86.9% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Malaysia in value, 2018-2021