Citrus fruit market in Malaysia

Earlier Report Observations

The Malaysian citrus fruit market volume, measured in thousand tons, showed considerable variation from 2018 to 2023. It grew slightly from 273.8 thousand tons in 2018 to 284.1 thousand tons in 2019, then contracted by 13% to 246.8 thousand tons in 2020. A robust recovery followed, with the market expanding by 18% to 292.2 thousand tons in 2021 and reaching a peak of 310.7 thousand tons in 2022. However, in 2023, it fell back by 12% to 273.0 thousand tons, nearly returning to the 2018 level.

Domestic production of citrus fruit remained relatively steady, fluctuating between 85.9 and 95.4 thousand tons per year. Consequently, the changes in overall market size were largely attributable to shifts in import volumes, which ranged from a low of 168.3 thousand tons in 2020 to a high of 235.0 thousand tons in 2022. Exports were consistently smaller, between 8.6 and 19.6 thousand tons, and thus had a limited impact on net market volume.

In monetary terms, the market value mirrored the physical volume's trajectory but with some divergence due to price effects. The market was valued at $237.7 million in 2018, dipped to $215.3 million in 2020, recovered to $278.5 million in 2022, and then declined to $239.4 million in 2023.

Production citrus fruit in Malaysia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2018-2021

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2018-2021

Malaysia's citrus fruit production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 88 608 tonnes of citrus fruit, representing a slight decrease of 1.1% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 2.2%, with an average annual decline of 0.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 91 726 tonnes, which saw a 1.2% increase. The most significant drop occurred in 2020, with production falling by 2.3%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Malaysia's citrus fruit production value has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 57 855 thousand US dollars, down by 14.0% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, the production value decreased by 23.1%, with an average annual decline of 8.4%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from Malaysia

Exports in kind, K t

Malaysia's citrus fruit exports have increased for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports reached 14.8 thousand tonnes, showing a dramatic gain of 33.4% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 72.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 19.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Singapore and Thailand formed the dominant pair of markets for Malaysia's citrus fruit exports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 84.9% of total flows, while other countries represented the remaining share.

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, M $ US

In 2021, the value of citrus fruit exports from Malaysia was recorded at 9.7 million US dollars, up by 16.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, export value increased by 35.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 20.5%, while the most significant decline was in 2020 at 3.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, three principal markets—Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam—together accounted for 83.6% of the total value of citrus fruit exports from Malaysia.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to Malaysia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, citrus fruit imports into Malaysia totalled 218.4 thousand tonnes, up by 29.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 13.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 4.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 168.3 thousand tonnes, which saw a decline of 17.2%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the three largest markets for Malaysia's citrus fruit imports in volume terms were China, South Africa, and Egypt, together accounting for 83.1% of total flows.

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, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Malaysia's citrus fruit imports increased in 2021. The import value totalled 207.5 million US dollars, marking a steep rise of 32.7% relative to the prior year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, import value increased by 22.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 156.3 million US dollars, which saw a decline of 6.9%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, China (36.1% of imports in value terms), South Africa (27.0%), and Egypt (15.8%) formed the key group of partners for Malaysia's citrus fruit imports, jointly representing 78.9% of total flows.

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

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