Market Dynamics
The Malaysian Bamboos market comprises of the Forest Department of Malaysia (FD) and the Department of Agriculture (DOA), along with various importers, distributors and exporters. The bamboos found in Malaysia are mostly of the Bambusa species, which are native to the region. The demand for bamboo products in the market has grown steadily since 2018. This is mainly due to the growing emphasis placed on sustainability and environment-friendly practices. Bamboo is a sustainable, fast-growing material that requires no pesticides or herbicides, is resilient to pests and fungi, and can be cultivated in otherwise-unusable land. This makes it an attractive option for a variety of uses in various industries, such as furniture and construction, packaging, and textiles. The FD and DOA have been providing support for the growth of the bamboos market by certifying and regulating bamboo cultivation practices. This includes ensuring the quality and purity of cultivated bamboo, as well as providing support with marketing and branding activities. Malaysia has also hosted various conferences and seminars to raise awareness of sustainability and safety when working with bamboo. The Malaysian government has also implemented strategies and regulations targeted at improving the bamboos market.
As of 2018, nine draft regulations have been published for further consultation, and these are expected to be implemented by 2022. Some of these include the Bamboos Safety Order, which details safety measures to protect the environment and public safety during the harvesting, production, processing, packaging and storing of bamboos. Looking forward, it is expected that the ease of import and export in Malaysia will improve, and more international participants will enter the market. In addition, increasing awareness of the potential of bamboos as a source of sustainable and renewable materials will lead to increased demand. In the long-term from 2018 to 2032, it is expected that the Malaysian Bamboos market will grow consistently. This is likely to drive up domestic prices, while leading to greater investment and increased employment in the sector.
