Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country with a rich culture, beautiful scenery, and vibrant cities. It is bordered by Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia, making it a strategic hub for trade and business.
One of the key sectors of Malaysia's economy is manufacturing, which involves transforming raw materials or components into finished products. Colour is a powerful tool for manufacturers to differentiate and market their products. Colour can create a unique identity, a mood, a message, or a style for a product. Colour can also affect how consumers perceive and prefer a product.
Choosing the right colours can have a significant impact on sales and product recognition for manufacturers. Bright, catchy colours can draw attention and create a sense of urgency among consumers. Moreover, colour psychology plays an important role, with different shades triggering different emotions and associations. By using colour effectively, manufacturers can increase product awareness, establish a strong market position, and boost sales. To meet the demand for colours, Malaysia imports colours from other countries, such as India, Vietnam, Germany, and Belgium.
Malaysian Industries Where Colours Play a Vital Role
In Malaysia, various industries rely on the strategic use of colours to enhance their products, branding, and overall visual appeal. Here are some Malaysian industries where colours play a vital role.
Food and Beverage Industry
Malaysian manufacturers of food and beverages face many challenges in selecting the right colours for their products. Colours are important for enhancing the visual appeal and attractiveness of the products, as well as influencing the consumers' perceptions of taste, freshness, and quality. However, choosing the appropriate colours can be difficult due to factors such as quality, stability, and regulatory compliance. One solution that can help Malaysian manufacturers overcome these challenges is using synthetic colours. Synthetic colours are artificial colours that are manufactured with chemicals. They offer many benefits such as consistency, versatility, and extended shelf life. Synthetic colours can help manufacturers achieve vibrant and attractive hues while ensuring product stability and longevity, ultimately boosting sales. Synthetic colours can be beneficial for the food and beverage industry of Malaysia, which is one of the major sectors of the country's economy. In Malaysia, many colour suppliers purchase colourants in bulk quantities from other countries and sell them to different businesses in the country. Some suppliers sell under the company’s brand name they bought them from, while others create their labels and sell the colourants under their brand name. Most of the food and beverages industry of Malaysia is located in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, Johor, Sabah, and Sarawak. In 2023, people will spend US$57.59bn on food in Malaysia. The amount of money people spend on food will increase by 7.10% every year from 2023 to 2028.
Cosmetics Industry
One of the challenges faced by Malaysian cosmetics manufacturers is selecting the right colours for their products. Colours such as shades, stability, and compatibility with different skin tones are important factors that affect the quality and appeal of cosmetics. However, finding natural colours that meet these criteria can be difficult and costly. That is why synthetic colours are the solution to these problems. Synthetic colours offer a wide range of hues, shades, and intensities that can be customized to suit different needs and preferences. Synthetic colours are also more stable and consistent than natural colours, which can fade or change over time. Synthetic colours can enhance the appearance and performance of cosmetics, making them more attractive and effective. By using synthetic colours, cosmetics manufacturers can boost their sales and brand recognition, as well as meet the demands of their customers. Synthetic colours can also help them stand out from their competitors in the market. Most of the cosmetics manufacturing industries in Malaysia are located in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, Johor, and Sabah. The Cosmetics and Personal Care market in Malaysia is projected to generate around 2.68 billion U.S. dollars in revenue by 2022, with an estimated yearly growth rate of 2.53% (CAGR 2022-2028).
Pharmaceutical Industry
One of the challenges faced by Malaysian pharmaceutical manufacturers is selecting the right colours for their products. Colours play an important role in the appearance, identification, and quality of pharmaceuticals. However, choosing the right colours can be difficult due to factors such as stability, safety, regulatory compliance, and consumer preference. Synthetic colours are the solution to this problem, as they offer many benefits for pharmaceutical manufacturers. Synthetic colours are made from chemical compounds that are stable, consistent, and reliable. They can withstand high temperatures, light exposure, and pH changes without fading or changing. They are also safe and approved by the relevant authorities for use in pharmaceuticals. Synthetic colours can help pharmacists and patients to figure out the right medicines. Synthetic colours can also boost the sales of pharmaceutical manufacturers and make their products stand out in the market. Colours can influence the perception and preference of consumers, as they can convey emotions, meanings, and associations. In Malaysia, many big distributors buy colourants from other countries and distribute them to many businesses in the country. Some of the distributors sell the colourants using the brand names they bought them from, while others make their own labels and sell them with their own brand names. Malaysia is one of the leading countries in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in Southeast Asia. There are many pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities located in various states of Malaysia, such as Selangor, Penang, Johor, Perak, and Kedah. These facilities produce a wide range of pharmaceutical products, such as tablets, capsules, syrups, injections, and creams, for both local and international markets. By 2024, the Malaysi’s pharmaceuticals market is projected to generate US$1,618.00m in revenue, with an expected annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2028) of 6.34%, resulting in a market volume of US$2,069.00m by 2028.
Chocolate Industry
One of the challenges that Malaysian chocolate manufacturers face is choosing the right colours for their chocolate products. Colours can affect the appearance, quality, and stability of chocolates, as well as the consumers' preferences and perceptions. Synthetic colours are the solution to this problem, as they offer many benefits for chocolate manufacturers in Malaysia. Synthetic colours are more stable and consistent than natural colours, which can fade or change over time. Synthetic colours also have a wider range of shades and hues, allowing chocolate manufacturers to create more attractive and appealing products. Synthetic colours are also safe for children, as they comply with the food safety standards and regulations in Malaysia. The vibrant colours of chocolates can attract more customers, especially children, and women, who are more likely to buy chocolates based on their visual appeal. Colours can also influence the taste and mood of consumers, making them more satisfied and loyal to the brand. By using synthetic colours, chocolate manufacturers can boost their sales and market share, as well as enhance their brand image and reputation. Colourant merchants in Malaysia source colourants from domestic or foreign suppliers at competitive prices. They sell these colourants to various industries such as food and beverages, cosmetics, and pharma, at higher prices, making a profit on each sale. They may also offer discounts or incentives to attract more customers. Ajanta Food Colours is a trusted manufacturer of food colourants that offers high-quality products at affordable prices. Many merchants and distributors choose Ajanta because they value its quality and affordability. Malaysia is one of the leading chocolate producers in Southeast Asia, with many chocolate manufacturing industries located in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, Johor, and Sabah. In 2024, the Confectionery market of Malaysia generates revenue of $7.21 billion in 2024. It's predicted to grow by around 7.81% every year from 2024 to 2028.
Animal Feed Industry
One of the challenges faced by Malaysian animal feed manufacturers is choosing the right colours for their products. Colours play an important role in attracting customers and enhancing the appearance of the feed. However, not all colours are suitable for animal feed, as they need to meet certain criteria such as quality, stability, safety, and regulatory compliance. Synthetic colours are the solution to these problems, as they offer many benefits for animal feed manufacturers. Synthetic colours are consistent, durable, versatile, and cost-effective. They can also help to improve the nutritional value, palatability, and digestibility of the feed. By using synthetic colours, animal feed manufacturers can increase their sales, build their brand image and stand out from the competition. Moreover, synthetic colours can help buyers identify and differentiate between various types of animal feed, such as poultry, swine, or cattle. The animal feed industry is a major sector in the Malaysian economy, as it supports the production of meat, dairy, eggs, and other animal products. Most of the animal feed manufacturing industries in Malaysia are located in the states of Selangor, Johor, Perak, and Penang. The animal feed market of Malaysia was valued at US$2,418.186 million in 2021 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.18% from 2021 to 2028 and reach US$2,811.616 million.
Cultural Preferences of Colours in Malaysia
Colours are important in Malaysia, as they reflect the diverse cultural and religious backgrounds of its people. Different colours have different meanings and associations for Malaysians, and they can influence their preferences and perceptions of products. For example, in Malaysia, red is a lucky colour that can attract customers to food and drinks. Chocolate products often use warm and inviting colours like brown and gold, to make people feel indulgent and luxurious. In cosmetics, pastel shades are popular, because they show a sense of subtlety and elegance.
These are some of the ways that colours can influence consumer behavior and preferences of Malaysian people. Malaysian manufacturers strategically use colours in their products to boost sales and make their products a brand in the market. By understanding the cultural preferences of colours in Malaysia, manufacturers can create products that resonate with their target audience and stand out from their competitors.
Regulatory Guidelines on Colours in the Malaysian Market
The use of colours in products such as food, beverages, pharma, cosmetics, etc in Malaysia is regulated by different divisions of the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH). The National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) is responsible for the control of cosmetic products and drugs, while the Food Safety and Quality Division (FSQD) is responsible for the control of food products. These divisions have issued guidelines for product classification, labelling, quality control, inspection, and post-market surveillance to ensure the safety and efficacy of the products. The NPRA also provides a list of permitted, prohibited, and restricted colouring agents for cosmetic products and drugs. These guidelines help the customers to make informed choices and avoid harmful or fraudulent products. They also help the manufacturers to comply with the legal requirements and standards of the MOH.
Ajanta Food Colours is a leading colourant manufacturing company with 75+ years of experience. It is well-known for its high-quality colours that are used worldwide. Ajanta exports its colourants to many Asian countries, such as Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and more.
Ajanta Colours has obtained various certificates that prove the quality and safety of its colours. It has an FDA certificate, an ISO 9001:2015 certificate for its quality management system, a HACCP certificate for its food safety system, a HALAL certificate for its compliance with Islamic dietary laws, a KOSHER certificate for its compliance with Jewish dietary laws, etc.
For startups launching new products in the Malaysian market, it can be hard to compete with many established brands. To succeed, the startups need to make their products unique and attractive to the customers. Ajanta Food Colours provides premium and high-quality colours that help Malaysian startups to create products that draw attention and stand out from the rest. This increases their product visibility and improves their sales.
Ajanta Food Colours is an excellent choice for Malaysian businessmen looking for a reliable colours exporter. The company offers many advantages, such as competitive prices and timely delivery, ensuring cost-effectiveness and easy access to products. Their dedication to customized solutions and technical support further improves the overall customer experience. Ajanta Food Colours provides a wide range of colours and applications, meeting diverse needs in the market. The company's commitment to maintaining consistent quality and performance in its products adds dependability to its offerings. With a focus on customer satisfaction and building loyalty, Ajanta Food Colours emerges as a trustworthy partner for businesses seeking high-quality colour solutions in the Malaysian market.
To know more about Ajanta Food Colours and its Supra range of colours, or for any other information, please contact us today!