Pork market in Malaysia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, domestic pork production in Malaysia began a sustained decline, falling from 223.9 thousand tons to 147.4 thousand tons by 2023. This drop was initially driven by a limited supply of live pigs in Selangor, where only 20% of demand was met locally, increasing reliance on frozen pork imports. Concurrently, state-level price stabilization efforts, such as the 24-hour 'Mantai' program, aimed to make fresh meat more affordable. By 2020, heightened border enforcement led to repeated seizures of frozen pork shipments from Spain and Australia lacking import permits, reflecting tighter regulatory control over the supply chain.

Between 2021 and 2023, the decline in production was partially offset by a sharp rise in imports, which grew from 15.0 to 64.9 thousand tons. A key demand-side shift occurred in 2022 when frozen pork was included in the government's subsidized essential goods list for the B40 income group, boosting consumption and contributing to a rise in market value to $847.5 million despite a relatively stable physical market volume. Regulatory pressure continued with frequent confiscations of illegal imports and increased scrutiny over halal labeling and packaging fraud, affecting market compliance.

Looking ahead to 2024 and 2025, import volumes are projected to continue increasing, reaching 73.4 thousand tons. Technological advancements in quick-freezing have emerged as a factor, improving the quality of frozen pork products and potentially supporting consumer preference for imported meat.

Production pork in Malaysia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of pork, 2018-2021

World map of production of pork, 2018-2021

Malaysia's pork production has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 197.4 thousand tons of pork, representing a 10.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 11.8%, with an average annual decline of 4.1%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following two years of contraction, Malaysia's pork production value showed a modest recovery. In 2021, pork output was valued at 665.1 million US dollars, marking a slight increase of 1.7% from the year before. However, over the 2018-2021 period, production value decreased by 8.2%, with an average annual decline of 2.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 654.0 million US dollars, while the sharpest drop occurred that same year at 8.0%.

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

Exports pork from Malaysia

Exports in kind, t

Malaysia exported 1 169 tons of pork in 2021, reflecting a significant 26.6% decrease compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports declined by 18%, equivalent to an average annual reduction of 6.4%. The peak export volume was reached in 2020 at 1 592 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 17.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, and Thailand remained Malaysia's key pork export partners in volume terms. Brunei Darussalam accounted for 66.3% of exports, Indonesia for 13.5%, and Thailand for 7.5%. Together, these three countries represented 87.4% of Malaysia's total pork export 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

In 2021, Malaysia's pork exports totaled 3 941 thousand US dollars, indicating a 16.5% decline compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value decreased by 14.6%, with an average annual decline of 5.1%. The highest export value was recorded in 2020 at 4 722 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 8.7%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Brunei Darussalam dominated Malaysia's pork exports in value terms, accounting for 75.5% of total export value. The remaining share was distributed among numerous countries, each with relatively small individual contributions.

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

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

Imports pork to Malaysia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Malaysia's pork import volume rebounded in 2021. The country imported 15 021 tons of pork, representing an 11.7% increase year-over-year. However, over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 26.7%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 9.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 13 442 tons, which also saw the sharpest drop of 24.6%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands were the primary sources of Malaysia's pork imports in volume terms. Germany contributed 36.7% of imports, Spain 20.8%, and the Netherlands 12.5%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 70.0% of Malaysia's total pork import 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, K $ US

Following two years of decline, Malaysia's pork import value increased in 2021. Imports reached 51 039 thousand US dollars, up 7.8% from the previous year. However, over the 2018-2021 period, import value decreased by 14.3%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 5.0%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2020 at 47 352 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 12.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands were the main sources of Malaysia's pork imports in value terms. Germany accounted for 38.3% of import value, Spain for 21.5%, and the Netherlands for 11.9%. Together, these three countries represented 71.7% of Malaysia's total pork import flows.

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

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