Sugar cane market in Malaysia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the Malaysian sugar cane market showed considerable volatility. After a drop to 10 018 metric tons in 2019, market volume grew by 49% in 2020 to 14 913 tons and continued rising to 17 129 tons in 2021. This expansion was driven by investments in cold‑chain logistics and refrigerated transport, which enabled more efficient distribution of frozen sugar‑cane‑based products. Simultaneously, the COVID‑19 pandemic shifted consumer preferences toward convenient frozen foods, boosting demand across the sector.

The market stabilized at 17 314 tons in 2022, reflecting a mature phase after two years of rapid growth. Government support through SME Corp’s TUBE program helped small entrepreneurs develop frozen products like ketupat daun tebu, some of which reached export markets such as Jordan and Egypt. Technological advances, including anti‑freeze protein applications developed by local researchers, improved product quality and shelf life. However, in 2023 the market contracted sharply to 12 737 tons, returning to a volume below the 2018 level.

Production sugar cane in Malaysia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of sugar cane, 2018-2021

World map of production of sugar cane, 2018-2021

Malaysia's sugar cane production has increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 25,591 tonnes of sugar cane, marking an 8.8% rise compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 20,761 tonnes. That year also saw the largest decline of 11.6%. In contrast, the biggest increase occurred in 2020 with a 13.3% jump.

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

Exports sugar cane from Malaysia

Exports in kind, t

Malaysia's sugar cane exports have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, export volumes stood at 8,543 tonnes, representing a 2.5% year-on-year drop. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 19.8%, averaging an annual decline of 7.1%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 10,856 tonnes. The largest decline took place in 2020 with a 19.3% fall, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 2.0%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Malaysia's sugar cane exports in volume terms were entirely concentrated on a single market: Singapore, which accounted for 100.0% of total 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 sugar cane exports were valued at 3,652 thousand US dollars, showing a significant 37.3% increase from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, export values rose by 42.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, when exports fell by 6.0%.

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

During the 2018–2021 period, Malaysia's sugar cane exports in value terms were heavily dependent on Singapore, which absorbed 100.0% 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 sugar cane to Malaysia

Imports in kind, t

The sugar cane import market in Malaysia showed considerable volatility over the observed period. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018, while the peak occurred in 2020, resulting in a 2.3-fold variation between these two years. In 2021, imports stood at 81 tonnes, representing a sharp 46.9% decline compared to the previous year. The highest import volume was in 2020 at 153 tonnes. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with imports surging by 71.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China dominated Malaysia's sugar cane imports in volume terms, accounting for 88.7% of total import flows. The remaining imports were fragmented across other markets.

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

In 2021, Malaysia's sugar cane imports reached 100 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 59.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, import values grew by 51%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.7%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2020 at 63 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 27.5%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, China effectively monopolised Malaysia's sugar cane imports in value terms, capturing 92.8% of total 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