Factors affecting export demand for Malaysian palm-based finished products (early view)

Abstract

The encouraging growth in volume and exports of palm-based finished products (PBFP) was directly related to an increase in their demand. It is thus important to investigate the factors influencing such demand. Our study attempts to elucidate this for the Malaysian PBFP in ten (10) major foreign markets, namely, Turkey, China, Iraq, Iran, Singapore, Romania, Australia, Pakistan, Russia, and Saudi Arabia. This study constitutes a panel data analysis for the ten countries using data from 2007 to 2021 using the fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) method. Pedroni and Westerlund cointegration test indicates the presence of a long-term relationship between the variables under study. The empirical results show that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has a long-term positive influence on the demand for PBFP, with every 1% increase in GDP will increase the demand for palm oil by 0.9%. In addition, population size (POP) also shows a positive sign and is statistically significant at the 1% level, indicating that a 1% increase in POP will lead to a 0.3% increase in PBFP demand. Substitute oil price also has a long-run positive influence where for every 1% increase in the price of both commodities will increase the demand for PBFP by 0.1%. Meanwhile the price of PBFP has a long-term positive influence on its demand. Thus, information regarding the factors influencing the demand for PBFP from our findings may help industry player and, policymakers in formulating strategies to improve the markets, and academicians may also benefit from sharing the knowledge gained from the study.