Starches market in Malaysia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the Malaysian starch market volume fluctuated, falling to 460 thousand tons in 2019. This decline was partly influenced by government economic policies aimed at reducing import dependence in agriculture, which supported domestic starch production but led to lower imports. The market then recovered to 483 thousand tons in 2020 before contracting again to 452 thousand tons in 2021.

A sharp expansion occurred in 2022, with market volume jumping 29% to 584 thousand tons. This surge was driven by the post-COVID‑19 economic recovery: the removal of tourism restrictions, vaccine rollouts, and a stronger labor market boosted demand for food and raw materials, including starch. However, the market shrank to 541 thousand tons in 2023, even as continued investments by government‑linked companies and benefits from free‑trade agreements provided underlying support to the industry.

Starch imports remained high at 528 thousand tons in 2024 but fell to 473 thousand tons in 2025. During this period, the government launched the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030, targeting modernization of the manufacturing sector—including starch production—through high‑tech initiatives and green industrial zones.

Production starches in Malaysia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of starches, 2018-2021

World map of production of starches, 2018-2021

Malaysia's starch production volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 83 640 tonnes of starches, marking a moderate year-over-year decrease of 6.1%. Production peaked in 2019 at 97 240 tonnes, which represented the largest annual increase of 18.6%. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, with an 8.3% drop.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Malaysia's starch production value also fell for the second year in a row. In 2021, output was valued at 41 082 thousand US dollars, reflecting a robust decrease of 12.3% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production value decreased by 11.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 54 231 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 16.3%. The most substantial decline occurred in 2020, with a 13.6% reduction.

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

Exports starches from Malaysia

Exports in kind, K t

Malaysia's cross-border shipments of starches increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country exported 35.9 thousand tonnes, indicating a significant gain of 57.4% over the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 66.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Japan, China, and Singapore remained the top buyers of Malaysian starches in volume terms. Japan accounted for 56.2% of exports, China for 14.6%, and Singapore for 14.4%. Together, these three countries represented 85.2% of total exports in kind.

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, Malaysia's exported starches were valued at 17.6 million US dollars, equivalent to a year-over-year gain of 47.0%. Between 2018 and 2021, export value increased by 43.9%, with an annualized rate of 12.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 12.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 4.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Japan, Singapore, and China led the structure of Malaysia's starch exports in value terms. Japan contributed 56.6% of export value, Singapore 15.5%, and China 11.1%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 83.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports starches to Malaysia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Malaysia's imported starches volumes amounted to 404.7 thousand tonnes, equivalent to a slight year-over-year decrease of 2.9%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 6.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 385.7 thousand tonnes, which experienced the largest decline of 10.6%. The most significant increase occurred in 2020, with an 8.0% rise.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the leading sources for Malaysia's starch imports in volume terms were Thailand, India, and China. Thailand supplied 35.8% of imports, India 20.9%, and China 20.7%. Together, these three countries accounted for 77.3% of total 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, M $ US

Malaysia's foreign starch supplies increased in value for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country imported starches valued at 158.9 million US dollars, representing a 6.3% gain compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, import value decreased by 12.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 158.9 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 18.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Thailand, China, and India remained the principal suppliers of starches to Malaysia in value terms. Thailand accounted for 37.9% of import value, China for 18.3%, and India for 18.2%. Collectively, these three countries represented 74.4% of total imports in value terms.

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

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