Importation Of Cattle To Malaysia: A Growing Industry

Introduction

Agriculture plays a vital role in Malaysia's economic development. According to the Annual Economic Statistics (AES) Agriculture Sector, the gross output of the agriculture sector has increased over the years, from RM82.2 billion in 2020 to RM101.3 billion in 2021, which shows a growth rate of 23.2%.¹ Among the RM101.3 billion, RM18.7 billion was contributed by livestock². The statistics indicates that livestock play an essential role in the country's agricultural industry. To prosper the agriculture sector, the importation of animals has become increasingly important in the economy. This article will explore the importation of cattle to Malaysia, including the reasons for importation, the benefits and challenges of importation, and the regulatory framework governing the importation of cattle.