Cassava market in Malaysia

Earlier Report Observations

The cassava market in Malaysia expanded from 37 653 t in 2018 to 45 438 t in 2023, primarily driven by rising demand for cassava-based chips, which increased the use of fresh cassava in the local snack industry. This growth was interrupted in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted logistics and raised transportation costs for raw materials, leading to a temporary market contraction.

Recovery and subsequent expansion were supported by the government's National Agrifood Policy 2021-2030 (DAN 2.0), which provided incentives to cassava farmers and helped achieve 100% self-sufficiency in domestic supply from 2021 onward. The policy encouraged planting expansion in states like Sarawak, Johor, and Selangor, while growing demand for value-added products such as starch and bioethanol spurred the establishment of small-scale processing plants.

Continued policy focus included proposals to position cassava as a staple food alternative to rice, aiming at carbohydrate diversification. Government incentives remained in place for cassava farms as key raw material sources for food and biofuel, supported by the development of high-starch varieties through MARDI's research and development programs.

Production cassava in Malaysia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of cassava, 2018-2021

World map of production of cassava, 2018-2021

In 2021, Malaysia produced 39 387 tonnes of cassava, representing a 5.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 12.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 42 285 tonnes, which saw a significant increase of 20.8%. However, in 2020, production experienced its largest decline of 11.3%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Cassava production in Malaysia declined for the second consecutive year in 2021, with output valued at 10 953 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial drop of 14.0% year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, production increased by 6.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 13 736 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 34.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Malaysia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports cassava from Malaysia

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 518 tonnes, with the largest decline of 12.2% occurring in 2019. In 2021, Malaysia exported 881 tonnes of cassava, showing a sharp rise of 70.1% compared to the previous year. Overall, exports changed by 1.7-fold from the trough in 2020 to the peak in 2021.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Singapore was overwhelmingly the main destination for Malaysia's cassava exports in kind, accounting for 99.8% of total flows.

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

After a two-year decline, cassava shipments from Malaysia to abroad increased in 2021, with exports recorded at 245 thousand US dollars, up by 39.3% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 32%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 176 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 2.7%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Singapore clearly dominated as the primary buyer of cassava from Malaysia, taking 97.9% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports cassava to Malaysia

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports bottomed in 2019 at 523 tonnes, with the largest decline of 84.1% recorded that year. In 2020, imports saw the largest increase of 112.2%. By 2021, cassava imports into Malaysia reached 812 tonnes, equivalent to a steep fall of 26.9% compared to 2020. Overall, imports peaked in 2018 and differed by 6.3 times from the low in 2019.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China and Vietnam continued to lead the list of markets for Malaysia's cassava imports in kind, together accounting for 88.4% of total flows, while other partners played a supplementary role.

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 market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import levels reached their lowest point in 2019 at 476 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 86.1% recorded that year. In 2020, imports saw the largest increase of 93.6%. By 2021, foreign cassava supplies to Malaysia reached 571 thousand US dollars, down by 38.1% from 2020. Overall, imports fluctuated 7.2 times between the high of 2018 and the low of 2019.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, China remained the dominant direction for Malaysia's cassava imports in value terms, with a share of 86.5% of total flows, while the remainder was fragmented across other markets.

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

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