Starch-manufacture residues market in Malaysia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for starch-manufacture residues in Malaysia expanded consistently from 51,544 t in 2018 to 71,742 t in 2023. Early growth was supported by government policies such as the zero single-use plastics roadmap and a pollution levy on plastic bags, which incentivized demand for biodegradable starch-based alternatives. Additionally, the focus on sustainability and utilization of agricultural biomass for bioenergy opened new avenues for residue consumption.

The market's momentum accelerated in 2021 with the Malaysia Renewable Energy Road Map promoting agricultural residue use for biomass energy. Volume temporarily stabilized near 62,000 t in 2022 due to climate-related raw material supply disruptions and updated Supply Control Regulations affecting key inputs. However, 2023 saw a 16% surge to over 71,700 t, driven by consumer preference for clean-label starch products, sales tax exemptions on manufacturing aids, and advancements in starch modification technologies.

Regulatory evolution continued with revised Food Label Regulations taking effect in 2024, requiring detailed labeling for starch-based food products. Government incentives for bio-based materials and ongoing raw material price fluctuations further shaped the market environment in the later years of the period.

Production starch-manufacture residues in Malaysia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of starch-manufacture residues, 2018-2021

World map of production of starch-manufacture residues, 2018-2021

Malaysia's production of starch-manufacture residues declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 15 153 tonnes, marking a modest decrease of 9.7% from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, overall production fell by 2.6%, with an average annual decline of 0.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 17 091 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 9.9%.

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

Exports starch-manufacture residues from Malaysia

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 31 tonnes and peaked in 2021 at 114 tonnes, representing a 3.7-fold increase between these years. In 2021, Malaysia's exports of starch-manufacture residues surged by 138.1% compared to 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 65.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam were the dominant partners in Malaysia's exports of starch-manufacture residues by volume, while other countries accounted for the remainder.

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 showed an unstable trend over the timeframe. Export values hit a low in 2019 at 5 thousand US dollars and rose to a high in 2021 at 64 thousand US dollars, a 12.1-fold increase. In 2021, Malaysia's export value of starch-manufacture residues jumped by 535.7% from 2020. The largest decline was in 2019, with a decrease of 69.5%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore were the leading partners in Malaysia's exports of starch-manufacture residues by value, with other countries making up the rest.

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

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

Imports starch-manufacture residues to Malaysia

Imports in kind, t

Malaysia's imports of starch-manufacture residues increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, import volume totaled 47 397 tonnes, showing a strong gain of 22.1% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 31.4%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 9.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 35 484 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 1.7%.

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

During 2018–2021, China and the United States were the key markets for Malaysia's imports of starch-manufacture residues by volume, together accounting for 82.2% of total imports, while other destinations made up the remaining share.

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

Malaysia's imports of starch-manufacture residues in value terms rose for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports amounted to 28 035 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 43.5% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 40.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.0%. The minimum value was in 2019 at 16 724 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 16.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China and the United States were the top markets for Malaysia's imports of starch-manufacture residues by value, together representing 91.9% of total imports, with the rest distributed among a variety of other countries.

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

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