Market research

MDF market in Malaysia

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

Malaysia's MDF market volume grew from 937 thousand m³ in 2018 to 1 328 thousand m³ in 2021, while its value increased from 256 million US dollars to 459 million US dollars over the same period. Domestic production remained steady at 1 460 thousand m³ annually, with its monetary value rising.

Market volume declined to 1 160 thousand m³ in 2022, primarily driven by a substantial increase in exports to 415 thousand m³, which reduced domestic availability. This coincided with record growth in Malaysian timber and MDF product exports, supported by strategic export development programs from MATRADE and the Malaysian Timber Council. Volume recovered to 1 278 thousand m³ in 2023, aided by rising imports and the ongoing implementation of the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, which promotes investment in the woodworking and furniture sector.

Looking ahead, continued execution of industrial policies like NIMP 2030 and Budget 2024 supports construction and infrastructure projects, key demand drivers for MDF, while market diversification strategies influence long-term export opportunities.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Malaysia
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Malaysia in kind, 2018-2023, K m³
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Malaysia in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K m³
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K m³
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K m³
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Malaysia in kind, 2018-2025, K m³
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Malaysia by countries, 2018-2025, K m³
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Malaysia in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Malaysia by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/m³
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Malaysia, 2018-2025, $ US/m³
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Malaysia by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/m³
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K m³
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Malaysia in kind, 2018-2025, K m³
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Malaysia by countries, 2018-2025, K m³
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Malaysia in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Malaysia by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/m³
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Malaysia, 2018-2025, $ US/m³
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Malaysia by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/m³
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K m³
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Malaysia in kind, 2018-2025, K m³
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Malaysia by countries, 2018-2025, K m³
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Malaysia in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Malaysia by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/m³
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Malaysia, 2018-2025, $ US/m³
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Malaysia by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/m³
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K m³
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Malaysia in kind, 2018-2025, K m³
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Malaysia by countries, 2018-2025, K m³
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Malaysia in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Malaysia by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/m³
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Malaysia, 2018-2025, $ US/m³
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Malaysia by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/m³
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K m³
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K m³
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production MDF in Malaysia

In kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Malaysia ranked 13th globally in MDF production from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of MDF, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of MDF, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

In 2021, Malaysia produced 1 460 K m³ of MDF, showing relative stability compared to 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2019, at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Malaysia in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	-	-	-	-

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

MDF production in Malaysia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 533.7 M $ US, marking a substantial rise of 21.2% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production grew by 34.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.4%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.4%	4.5%	21.2%	10.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports MDF from Malaysia

Exports in kind, K m³

Exported MDF volumes from Malaysia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, Malaysia exported 293.6 K m³ of MDF, down by 18.2% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 49.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 20.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Malaysia in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(10.7%)	(31.2%)	(18.2%)	(20.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, there was no single dominant market for MDF exports from Malaysia. Japan accounted for 35.9% of exports in kind, the Philippines for 7.4%, and the United Arab Emirates for 6.4%, together making up 49.7% of total exports. Many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Malaysia's MDF exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, Malaysia exported 107.3 M $ US of MDF, down by 0.9% from 2020. Over the period 2018-2021, exports decreased by 32.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.2%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(5.1%)	(28.2%)	(0.9%)	(12.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, the leading destinations for MDF exports from Malaysia in value terms were Japan, with 47.2% of exports, the Philippines with 8.4%, and Australia with 7.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for 63.0% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports MDF to Malaysia

Imports in kind, K m³

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.6-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Malaysia imported a total of value_last_year K m³ of MDF, constituting a significant loss of 18.1% over the past year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 225.1 K m³, with the largest increase also in 2019 at 263.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Malaysia in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	263.5%	(12.6%)	(18.1%)	37.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Thailand and China played the leading roles in imports in kind, together accounting for 89.3% of total flows. The remaining share was dispersed among other countries.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports bottomed in 2018 and peaked in 2020, differing by a factor of 2.1. In 2021, imported MDF volumes in Malaysia were recorded at 32.5 M $ US, constituting a substantial decrease of 17.6% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 39.4 M $ US, with the largest increase also in 2020 at 77.4%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	19.9%	77.4%	(17.6%)	20.6%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, two leading markets—Thailand and China—together accounted for 83.9% of total imports in value terms. The remaining volume was dispersed across a wide range of other countries.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io