Ginger market in Malaysia

Earlier Report Observations

The ginger market in Malaysia experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023, peaking at 70 697 tonnes in 2019. A primary driver throughout the period was the strong domestic and international demand for the premium Bentong variety, which was officially patented in 2021, enhancing its commercial value. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 heightened health awareness, increasing demand for ginger as an immunity-boosting product. However, overall market volume temporarily declined in 2020 and 2021, influenced by broader supply chain adjustments.

Market volume recovered to 66 732 tonnes in 2022, largely due to the expansion of the Halia Bentong Agroprenuer program, which aimed to involve 1 000 entrepreneurs and boost local output. High prices for young Bentong ginger, reaching RM40 per kg, made domestic cultivation more attractive, reducing reliance on imports which had historically supplied over 80% of the market. The subsequent slight contraction to 63 756 tonnes in 2023 occurred alongside the emergence of new segments like black ginger and the growth of Malaysia's halal industry, which benefited herbal products like ginger through improved supportive policies and financing schemes such as those from Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM).

Production ginger in Malaysia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Malaysia ranked as the 17th largest producer of ginger globally.

Top producers of ginger, 2018-2021

World map of production of ginger, 2018-2021

In 2021, Malaysia produced 8 719 tonnes of ginger, representing a 25.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 35.3%, which translates to an annualized decline of 13.5%. The only year that saw growth was 2020, with a modest increase of 3.0%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Ginger production in Malaysia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 19 301 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant drop of 33.7% from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production value decreased by 51.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -21.5%.

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

Exports ginger from Malaysia

Exports in kind, t

Ginger exports from Malaysia increased for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports reached 658 tonnes, showing a sharp rise of 98.6% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, export volumes grew by 139.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 33.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Singapore was the dominant destination for Malaysia's ginger exports in volume terms, accounting for 84.4% of total shipments, while the remainder was distributed among a fragmented group of other markets.

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 market exhibited volatility during these years, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 1.8 times between 2018 and 2021. In 2021, ginger exports from Malaysia totaled 1 456 thousand US dollars, up 77.5% year-on-year. The largest decline occurred in 2020, at 2.5%.

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

During the 2018-2021 period, Singapore accounted for 88.5% of Malaysia's ginger exports by value, with the rest spread across a broad range of smaller countries.

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

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

Imports ginger to Malaysia

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Malaysia imported 51 754 tonnes of ginger, a slight increase of 2.3% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 span, imports rose by 14.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 4.6%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 59 590 tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 31.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 15.1%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, China was the primary source for Malaysia's ginger imports in volume, holding a 70.8% share of total flows, while other partners made up the balance.

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

After two years of growth, Malaysia's ginger imports declined. In 2021, imports amounted to 46 510 thousand US dollars, a substantial decrease of 23.6% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, import value increased by 33.5%, with an annualized rate of 10.1%. The peak value was in 2020 at 60 895 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 32.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China dominated Malaysia's ginger imports in value terms, absorbing 86.4% of total flows, with numerous minor partners accounting for the remainder.

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

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