Bottled water, packaged drinking water typically sold in plastic or glass bottles, is categorized into two types in Malaysia: Natural Mineral Water (NMW) and Drinking Water (DW).
Malaysia is blessed with abundant water resources, which have been fundamental to the country's socio-economic development over the past decades. As a water-rich nation, Malaysia primarily sources its water from surface water (80.8%), including rivers and dams (17.9%), while groundwater accounts for only 1.2%. Malaysia's tropical climate with high rainfall ensures a constant supply of rainwater, and most households have access to affordable municipal tap water. However, the country has recently experienced a shift in its water supply situation, transitioning from relative abundance to scarcity. Factors such as population growth, urbanization, industrialization, and expanded irrigated agriculture have led to rapidly increasing demands and pressures on water resources, along with heightened water pollution.
Malaysia boasts the highest per capita consumption of bottled water among developing countries, with each Malaysian consuming just under 150 liters annually. Malaysians prefer bottled water for its convenience and often use it as a healthier alternative to sugary drinks. Additionally, the choice to consume bottled water may stem from a general distrust of the quality of municipal tap water.
As the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia, Malaysia experienced impressive economic growth of 8.7% in 2022. The country's population is nearly 32.7 million, with a GDP per capita of $12,400, placing it in the upper-middle-income category. Consumption and international trade are vital components of Malaysia's GDP, with total exports and imports reaching RM2.85 trillion (approximately $627 billion) in 2022, marking the second consecutive year surpassing the 2 trillion-ringgit threshold.
From 2018 to 2022, as analyzed by CRI, the annual sales revenue of bottled water in Malaysia displayed a fluctuating pattern, experiencing a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 0.03% during this period. In recent years, the size of Malaysia's bottled water market has remained relatively stable. The market experienced a decline in sales revenue in 2020, primarily due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with sales revenue falling by 10.25%. Subsequently, in 2021 and 2022, the sales revenue of bottled water in the Malaysian market gradually rebounded, reaching approximately $300 million in 2022. CRI's analysis suggests that as the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic diminishes, coupled with growing health consciousness and income levels, Malaysia's bottled water industry will continue to experience growth in the future.
CRI anticipates that the Malaysian bottled water market will expand to a size of US$522 million by 2032, registering a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of approximately 5.7% from 2023 to 2032.
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