Sweet potatoe market in Malaysia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for sweet potatoes in Malaysia grew from 62 849 metric tons in 2018 to a peak of 72 377 metric tons in 2020, before contracting to 52 727 metric tons by 2023. In value terms, the market reached USD 34.1 million in 2020, then declined to USD 26.9 million in 2023.

Despite the overall volume contraction, 2023 saw significant product innovation with the launch of new sweet potato varieties suitable for fresh consumption and processing into chips, bread, and composite beverages. This development, along with the emergence of novel products like sweet potato ice cream, cookies, and caramel candies, indicated a strategic diversification within the market to stimulate demand.

Import volumes have shown a consistent upward trend, rising from 11 492 metric tons in 2018 to 21 625 metric tons in 2023 and reaching 24 993 metric tons by 2025, reflecting sustained consumption needs that domestic production has not fully met in recent years.

Production sweet potatoe in Malaysia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2018-2021

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2018-2021

Malaysia's sweet potato production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, production reached 53 614 tonnes, marking a 2.1% decrease from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 2.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 56 343 tonnes, which saw the largest annual increase of 7.9%. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 2.8%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Malaysia's sweet potato production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 23 582 thousand US dollars, reflecting a modest 2.4% rise compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, however, production value decreased by 4.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 22 594 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest annual decline of 8.2%.

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

Exports sweet potatoe from Malaysia

Exports in kind, t

Malaysia's sweet potato exports in volume terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 2 282 tonnes, representing a substantial 62.3% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 163%, with a compound annual growth rate of 38.0%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Malaysia's sweet potato exports in volume terms were almost entirely concentrated in Singapore, which accounted for 99.4% of total shipments.

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

Malaysia's sweet potato exports in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 1 004 thousand US dollars, showing a significant 69.7% year-over-year growth. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 145.4%, equating to a 34.9% annualized growth rate.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the country structure of Malaysia's sweet potato exports in value terms was highly concentrated, with Singapore alone accounting for 97.8% 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 sweet potatoe to Malaysia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Malaysia's sweet potato imports in volume terms declined. In 2021, imports stood at 17 300 tonnes, representing a moderate 9.1% decrease from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 50.5%, with an annualized growth rate of 14.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 19 033 tonnes, which saw the largest annual increase of 38.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand were the leading sources of Malaysia's sweet potato imports in volume terms, accounting for 31.2%, 30.9%, and 23.9% respectively. Together, these three countries represented 86.0% 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, K $ US

Following a two-year uptick, Malaysia's sweet potato imports in value terms declined. In 2021, imports amounted to 10 849 thousand US dollars, indicating a 6.6% decrease compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 38.7%, with an annualized growth rate of 11.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2020 at 11 612 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest annual increase of 30.6%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand played the leading roles in Malaysia's sweet potato imports in value terms, accounting for 52.1%, 18.5%, and 9.1% respectively. Collectively, these three countries represented 79.7% 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