Malaysia Probiotics Market Size, Share, Opportunities, COVID-19 Impact, And Trends By Application (Functional Food And Beverages, Dietary Supplements, Animal Feed), By End-User (Human, Animal), By Function (Regular, Preventative Healthcare, Therapeutic), By Type (Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Bifidobacterium, Spore Formers, Others), And By Form (Liquid, Dry) - Forecasts From 2022 To 2027

Malaysia Probiotics Market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 14.82% over the forecast period. The market was valued at US$118.555 million in 2020 and is expected to reach US$311.864 million by 2027.

Malaysia’s food retail industry is driven by an expanding economy and increased consumer spending. Although the country’s halal requirements complicate trade for certain products, Malaysia’s trade and regulatory policies are relatively open and provide opportunities for a broad range of imported, consumer-oriented, food & beverage products. Malaysia’s total agricultural product imports in 2020 reached nearly USD 18.7 billion and exports reached USD 26.8 billion. Furthermore, Malaysia’s retail sector is rapidly developing, and high-end/premium grocery stores are increasingly popular. Malaysian retail trade increased by 29.9 percent year on year in May 2022, following a 20.9 percent increase the previous month. It was the eighth consecutive month of growth in retail sales, and the highest rate since April 2021, as Covid-19 restrictions were lifted. Malaysia obtains the majority of its probiotics from India, Vietnam, and the United States. Malaysia is the number one importer of probiotics. Malaysia is the largest Probiotics importer, accounting for 77 shipments.  174,762 probiotic products were imported into Malaysia from various other countries.

Probiotics can be used in food, beverages, and health supplements in Malaysia, and are regulated by two different divisions of the Ministry of Health, Malaysia. The Food Safety and Quality Division (FSQD) of Malaysia's Ministry of Health is the regulatory authority in charge of the sale of probiotics in foods and beverages. Under Malaysia Food Regulation 1985, a specific regulation (Regulation 26A - Probiotic culture) was published in April 2017 to allow probiotic cultures to be added to foods and to regulate their use (MOH Malaysia, 2017). The National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA), Ministry of Health Malaysia, is in charge of probiotic health supplements. There is no specific regulation for probiotic supplements. Probiotics in health supplements are classified as a "product" under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations (CDCR) (MOH Malaysia, 1984). In this law, the term "product" refers to "a drug to be used as a 510 Tee ES, Hardinsyah & Cyndy Au SS ingredient of a preparation for a medicinal purpose." Probiotics fall under the medicinal purpose of 'general maintenance or promotion of health or wellbeing' in this regard. The Drug Registration Guidance Document lists probiotics as health supplements (MOH Malaysia, 2021).

Furthermore, many Malaysian supermarkets are now providing in-store dining facilities, allowing customers to purchase products from the store and have them prepared and served on-site. Furthermore, Malaysia's hotel, restaurant, and institutional (HRI) industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country, owing to strong tourism and increased consumer spending. [From the USDA]. In view of the above, the total food and beverage expenditure borne by consumers recorded by the tourism sector in 2019 was to the tune of RM11,457.1 million, which accounted for 13.3 percent of total expenditures [Malaysian Government]. In addition to the growing desire to sample food and beverages, health and wellness trends became more prevalent in 2019[Source: USDA]. This is exemplified further by an increase in preference for functional foods and beverages, which is driven by a desire for digestive health benefits and a high level of awareness of probiotic benefits.

In light of the above, there has been considerable development in recent times as far as market players of probiotics for human consumption is concerned, which reaffirms the health growth estimation of the Malaysian probiotic market during the forecast period.

As of February 2020, it was reported that HEY YOGURT a local Australian brand under WK Holdings Limited, will commence its expansion plans by initially opening 100 shops in 2020 with shops in Kuala Lumpur, Malacca and Johor in Malaysia already underway. Furthermore, the new year 2020 of the Malaysian probiotic market started with Nestlé’s new and improved NANKID OPTIPRO®. It is the latest breakthrough in child nutrition and is scientifically formulated with a “hundred million probiotics”. It also contains a new revolutionary ingredient – 2’-FL Oligosaccharide, a type of carbohydrate derived from lactose to help improve children’s gut function. Moreover, according to OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2019-2028, Malaysian meat production, among others, was projected to be 2483 KtCwe and the consumption to be 2772KtCwe. Thus to maintain sustainable livestock farming, there is great potential for probiotics to be used in animal feed, thus partially contributing to the Malaysian probiotic market growth during the forecast period.

Recent development and expansions

• The probiotics market in Malaysia is expanding rapidly as a result of the increased availability and promotion of probiotics in the country. Moreover, rising awareness and focus on individual health benefits are expected to increase the demand for probiotics in the country in the coming years.
• Holista Colltech, a biotech company with its headquarters in Malaysia, has described a new product development strategy for the nation's best-selling probiotic product Lacto 5 that includes the development of an immune health product and a strategy to combine probiotics with other functional ingredients.

COVID-19 impact

The Covid-19 outbreak has had a positive impact on the growth of probiotics as it plays a role as an immune-modulator and antiviral agent. Probiotics may help to reduce the severity of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. While new startup companies dominate the innovations in probiotic products.

Key Segmentation

• By Application
  • Functional Food and Beverages
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Animal Feed
• By End-User
  • Human
  • Animal
• By Function
  • Regular
  • Preventative Healthcare
  • Therapeutic
• By Type
  • Lactobacillus
  • Streptococcus
  • Bifidobacterium
  • Spore Formers
  • Others
• By Form
  • Liquid
  • Dry

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