Amman:A recent market study has identified Malaysia as a significant opportunity for Jordanian exporters, particularly in the agri-food, confectionery, olive oil, and pharmaceutical sectors, leveraging Malaysia's substantial $339.5 billion import market recorded last year.
According to Jordan News Agency, the report, developed by Trade First Jordan in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply, revealed that Jordanian exports to Malaysia amounted to $55.35 million last year, with fertilizers comprising nearly 78 percent of that total. The exports of halal food, agricultural products, and pharmaceuticals were valued at $4.58 million, indicating considerable potential for diversification.
Malaysia's import statistics include $68.1 million in fresh and dried dates, $104.5 million in sugar confectionery, $53 million in tahini and sesame preparations, and $21.4 million in olive oil and derivatives over the past year. Jordan is ranked ninth among Malaysia's date suppliers, with a 3.07 percent market share. The country also holds a 1.33 percent market share in tahini and sesame products, with $705,000 in shipments, and is the third-largest supplier of non-virgin olive oil to Malaysia, capturing a 7.2 percent market share.
The report highlights that Malaysia's acknowledgment of halal certifications from the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization simplifies the export process by allowing local completion of halal verification before shipment.
In the pharmaceutical domain, Malaysia's imports, classified under HS Chapter 30, exceeded $2.7 billion last year, including $898.5 million in packaged medicaments, $65.2 million in antibiotics, and $19.5 million in vitamin preparations. To enter the Malaysian pharmaceutical market, Jordanian exporters need partnerships with registered local entities to facilitate product registration, a process that generally takes up to 18 months, although expedited routes are available for qualifying products.
The study advises potential exporters to secure local import partners, verify customs classifications, and calculate landed costs at Port Klang, including freight, insurance, tariffs, and taxes. It also suggests conducting trial shipments, engaging local distributors, and finalizing date supply contracts several months ahead of Ramadan to pave the way for expansion into wider food categories.
These insights are part of a comprehensive study released this month by Trade First Jordan and the Ministry, assessing entry strategies for five promising target markets Malaysia, Indonesia, Tanzania, Uzbekistan, and Kenya. Collectively, these markets offer an accessible demand estimated at $2.5 billion for high-quality Jordanian manufactured products.