Sunflower-seed oilcake market in Malaysia

Earlier Report Observations

The Malaysian sunflower-seed oilcake market volume expanded to 15,645 t in 2019 from 12,957 t the previous year, before contracting to 12,258 t in 2020. Average import tariffs of 3.76% facilitated market access, though global supply chain patterns influenced trade flows. The decline continued into 2021, with the market reaching 11,043 t.

A sharp drop to 6,003 t occurred in 2022, followed by a recovery to 8,960 t in 2023. That year, escalating raw material prices and labor shortages in the plantation sector raised production costs, while Cargill Malaysia enhanced its refining capabilities for soft oils, including sunflower oil, improving local processing capacity. Global supply chain disruptions from geopolitical factors further affected sunflower seed and oil availability.

From 2024, growing health consciousness among consumers drove demand for healthier oils like sunflower oil, rich in unsaturated fats. Regulatory frameworks ensured quality and labeling compliance for cooking oils. By 2025, government subsidy reforms on cooking oil and commitments to sustainable palm oil production under the 12th Malaysian Plan shaped the broader vegetable oil market, with ongoing enforcement against fraud in used cooking oil exports.

Production sunflower-seed oilcake in Malaysia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of sunflower-seed oilcake, 2018-2021

World map of production of sunflower-seed oilcake, 2018-2021

Malaysia's sunflower-seed oilcake production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, production reached 1,230 tonnes, marking a significant decrease of 54.8% compared to 2020. Looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 68.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 32.0%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Sunflower-seed oilcake production in Malaysia continued its downward trend for the third year in a row. In 2021, the output was valued at 467,000 US dollars, representing a 45.1% drop from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 65.3%, with an average annual decline of 29.7%.

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

Exports sunflower-seed oilcake from Malaysia

Exports in kind, t

The market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2021 at 137 tonnes, which was a sharp decline of 76.1% year-on-year. In contrast, the highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1,267 tonnes, resulting in a 9.3-fold difference between these years. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a growth of 359.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the geographical pattern of exports in kind was largely dominated by Myanmar and Brunei Darussalam, which together accounted for 99.8% of total 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

The market exhibited signs of volatility over the observed period. Exports bottomed in 2021 at 52,000 US dollars, down by 70.9% from the previous year. The peak was in 2019 at 387,000 US dollars, creating a 7.5-fold gap. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a rise of 309.0%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the country structure of exports in value terms was primarily shaped by Myanmar and Brunei Darussalam, which together held a joint share of 99.0% of total 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 sunflower-seed oilcake to Malaysia

Imports in kind, t

Sunflower-seed oilcake deliveries to Malaysia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 9,949 tonnes, showing a slight decrease of 1.5% compared to the prior year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 6.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 13,950 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2020, falling by 27.6%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a growth of 49.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Ukraine was by far the main destination for imports in kind of sunflower-seed oilcake to Malaysia, accounting for 97.4% of total 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

In 2021, imported sunflower-seed oilcake volumes in Malaysia amounted to 3,994,000 US dollars, indicating a rise of 44.0% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 45.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.2%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020, with a drop of 29.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, virtually all imports in value terms of sunflower-seed oilcake to Malaysia were associated with Ukraine, whose share reached 97.1% of total flows.

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

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