THE BAMBOO INDUSTRY in Malaysia is being developed as a high-value sector under the National Bamboo Industry Development Action Plan 2021-2030 are aiming to boost exports of products like furniture, engineered boards, and handicrafts. Exports grew to RM20.1 million in 2023 and yet the industry faces challenges in scaling up, including land shortages for cultivation and high reliance on imports for materials. The key aspects of the Malaysian Bamboo Industry include the Growth Potential and Policy in which the current government is pushing for the expansion of the industry to tap into the global bamboo market, which was valued at US$70.6 billion in 2023. The National Bamboo Industry Development Action Plan 2021-2030 aims to elevate the industry from traditional uses to high-value and it engineered products. For the production and export stretegy in which while exports increased by 39% to RM20.1 million in 2023 from RM14.5 million in 2022, this is still considered low compared to major exporters like China. The cultivation and land use: are the focus on converting abandoned rubber plantation land (roughly 420,000 hectares) for bamboo cultivation. Strategy for the industry applications are beyond traditional handicrafts in which bamboo is being developed for industrial use, including engineered laminated boards, flooring, furniture, and as a 'green steel' alternative in construction. There are many challenges for the sector faces including land availability, with some landowners reluctant to switch to bamboo, and the need for greater investment in processing technology. In recent approach the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities is actively encouraging the conversion of underutilized land for bamboo, highlighting its potential to turn into a significant income generator for the national economy. Experts noted that while bamboo is sustainable, more research is needed regarding its application as a safety barrier in infrastructure to ensure durability and strength. Reported that the National Bamboo Industry Development Action Plan 2021-2030 was launched to boost exports and promote the 'green material' in which The Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) is playing a central role in providing support, including soft loans for cultivating bamboo and encouraging industry investment. This article in "Anim Agriculture Technology" I write about the bamboo industry sector in Malaysia.
Malaysia exported RM9.9 million worth of bamboo products last year. Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok said the economic contribution of the Malaysian bamboo industry was still low compared with the US$68.8 billion (RM288.2 billion) global bamboo market. Bamboo is synonymous with the Malaysian community, with its handicraft products and for other daily uses. Various innovations and novelty products made from bamboo such as furniture, lamination boards, floors and fabrics have been widely used. Bamboo is also being used as a component in the construction industry known as green steel. The ministry with the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) will continue to ensure various programmes and initiatives related to the development of the bamboo industry will be implemented. This initiative is important as the bamboo industry can be developed as one of the commodity-agri to generate income as well as benefit the community. Products featured include bamboo strips, bamboo slips, planks, furniture, bicycles, guitars, flooring, accessories and bags. Bamboo industry cluster development would be implemented with the setting up of a bamboo nursery on a 1.7ha plot in Taman Industri Perabot Lahat in Ulu Kinta, Perak in which the development of a tissue culture lab for bamboo seedlings and research on the production of quality bamboo seedlings with an estimated production of 100,000 bamboo seeds per month is also being planned and will be implemented by 2020 with an allocation of RM7 million as reported.
Local media reported 'Land shortage hinders bamboo industry growth' is the the main obstacle in developing Malaysia's bamboo industry is land availability, said Plantations and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani as he stated the size of available land created about the difficulties in establishing a sustainable commercial bamboo sector for the country. Today at least 2,000 hectares was needed to meet market demand or implement the concept of commercial bamboo cultivation. Obtaining land for bamboo planting is challenging due to limited availability from state governments throughout nations. In comparison, palm oil has 5.7 million hectares and rubber has 1.1 million hectares, while bamboo has only 4,000 hectares. This disparity hinders both upstream and downstream industrial development. He said Malaysia's bamboo industry generated only RM13.7 billion in exports over the past decade, with RM20.7 million generated last year. Malaysia imported bamboo last year for downstream industries, including 528 handicraft companies, seven furniture companies, three textile companies and 17 construction companies, as our local supply still falls short. Many state governments were not prepared to allocate land for bamboo cultivation and despite the incentives, many prefer to allocate land for palm oil cultivation due to its established ecosystem, comprehensive value chain and large export value that exceeds RM100 billion. Also reported that the Sarawak government has recently allocated 3,339 hectares for bamboo cultivation. This process has begun, but we have also faced challenges. Exploring forests raises deforestation concerns, potentially reducing forest cover to below 50 per cent. The rubber and palm oil landowners as comparison were reluctant to allocate land for bamboo cultivation. The Ministry's has to proposed some commitment to persuading landowners of the future benefits of bamboo cultivation. According to the Bamboo Global Market Report 2024, the global bamboo industry was valued at US$70.6 billion last year and was expected to grow to nearly US$100 billion by 2028. This increase in demand is driven by factors such as diverse bamboo product and more applications, including its potential as a sustainable resource.
Other report stated that Maysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) is providing soft loans to those interested in cultivating bamboo. Its director-general Mohd Kheiruddin Mohd Sani said the Primary Industries Ministry had instructed MTIB to find a new sources of raw material for the timber industry, and as such it would now focus on bamboo. The ministry will focus on the bamboo industry where MTIB will provide soft loans for those interested. MTIB is searching for interested investors to come to the country and is also discussing with state governments to provide land for bamboo cultivation. He said this after the launch of the Pahang Wood and Lifestyle Fair at Kuantan Parade here today. Also present was MTIB's Bumiputera Empowerment director Kamaruzaman and hes mention there has been positive response from investors. MTB stff will be going to Japan in January 2020 as the tasks would be to carry out a dialogue on bamboo cultivation and to attract investors from Japan and plan to bring along from the state representatives from Pahang and Perak to participate in the bamboo dialogue. The visit and see what Bumiputera entreprenuers have in store in which the fair which will be open every year. Thanks.
By,
M Anem,
Senior Agronomist Expert,
Melaka,
Malaysia.
(Febuary 2026)
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