Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Malaysia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Malaysia experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Market volume started at 1.25 million tons in 2018, dipped to a low of 1.07 million tons in 2021, then recovered sharply to 1.35 million tons in 2022 before easing to 1.25 million tons in 2023. This volatility occurred against a backdrop of near-total reliance on imported wheat, primarily from Australia, the United States, and Canada, making domestic supply sensitive to global trade flows.

A dramatic spike in the market's value to $751.6 million in 2022 was primarily driven by major global supply shocks. The Russia-Ukraine war disrupted exports from a key wheat-producing region, while India's ban on wheat exports further tightened worldwide availability. These events, exacerbated by rising global freight and fuel costs, led to a surge in domestic flour prices. In response, authorities implemented measures including a RM5 million allocation to upgrade subsidized flour quality and the rollout of the eCOSS system to streamline licensing for controlled goods like flour, alongside exploring alternative sourcing from Turkey and local cultivation research.

By 2023, the market value adjusted to $728.9 million as some price pressures eased. A notable shift was the steep decline in import volume to just 79 000 tons, suggesting a change in supply chain structure or inventory cycles. Concurrently, regulatory focus extended to product safety, with health authorities initiating monitoring for chemical residues in flour to ensure consumer protection.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Malaysia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2018-2021

World map of production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2018-2021

Malaysia's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 850 K t, which represents a 15.0% decrease compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production fell by 21%, translating to an annualized decline rate of 7.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 0.0%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Malaysia's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 402.1 M $ US, showing a notable drop of 10.9% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 13.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.6%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Malaysia

Exports in kind, K t

Wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports from Malaysia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 61.4 K t, down by 7.2% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 37%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 14.3%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 99.7 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2020, at 33.6%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 2.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Singapore, Myanmar, and Thailand were the main destinations for Malaysia's wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports in kind. Singapore accounted for 49.5% of exports, Myanmar for 21.0%, and Thailand for 14.9%, together making up 85.3% of total exports.

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

Wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports from Malaysia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, Malaysia exported 29.1 M $ US worth of these products, reflecting a drop of 2.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 30.9%, with an annualized decline rate of 11.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Singapore, Myanmar, and Thailand remained the leading destinations for Malaysia's wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports in value terms. Singapore accounted for 51.4% of exports, Myanmar for 17.2%, and Thailand for 13.7%, together representing 82.3% 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 wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Malaysia

Imports in kind, K t

Malaysia's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 278.7 K t, showing a moderate decrease of 6.2% compared to 2020. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 303.7 K t, with the largest increase also occurring in 2019 at 10.4%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the United States, Australia, and Ukraine formed the core group of markets for Malaysia's wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports in kind. The United States accounted for 31.8% of imports, Australia for 25.2%, and Ukraine for 12.2%, together representing 69.2% 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

In 2021, foreign supplies of wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Malaysia totaled 110.4 M $ US, reflecting an improvement of 11.7% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 24%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 7.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 2.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 13.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the three main markets for Malaysia's wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports in value terms were the United States, Australia, and Singapore, together absorbing 65.8% of total imports.

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

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