Malaysia Grants Market Access To U.S. Sorghum

U.S. sorghum has a new market opportunity in Malaysia after import restrictions and requirements for the product were eased earlier this month.

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) worked closely with its Malaysian counterparts together with its partners at the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA’s FAS) and the United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP) to advance market access for U.S. sorghum in Malaysia.

“The Council applauds Malaysia’s decision to open itself to U.S. sorghum to provide a high-quality feed and food ingredient option for this growing, modern economy,” said Caleb Wurth, USGC regional director for Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEA&O). “Our staff has already been in touch with Malaysian customers to let them know about this change and they are extremely interested in the financial and nutritional benefits of U.S. sorghum.”

The new import laws dropped several logistical and administrative requirements that previously put U.S. sorghum at a competitive disadvantage compared to other origins.

Malaysia imported more than $28 million in U.S. grains in all forms (GIAF) in marketing year (MY) 2023/2024 and has already surpassed that mark in MY 2024/2025, with more than $32 million in sales through February according to USDA data.

“Like many Southeast Asian nations, Malaysia has been a consistent market for U.S. producers despite an absence of sorghum exports, but with these new regulations allowing U.S. sorghum access, I expect to see an even stronger trade partnership between the countries,” said Rowena Ngumbang, USGC regional marketing manager for SEA&O.

“Sorghum’s versatility is appealing to end-users in the region and the Council will continue working alongside APHIS, FAS and USCP to seek similar changes in nearby countries.”

Learn more about the Council’s work in Malaysia here.