Agricultural products see remarkable surge in exports

Agricultural products see remarkable surge in exports

The main products Cambodia exported include rice, bananas, mangoes, cassava, cashew nuts, corn, pepper and tobacco.

Cambodia’s agriculture sector has experienced a remarkable increase in the early period of this year, with key export commodities showcasing significant growth.

The main products Cambodia exported included rice, bananas, mangoes, cassava, cashew nuts, corn, pepper and tobacco.

From January to May, the country earned $535 million from paddy rice export and $253 million from milled rice exports, a year-on-year increase of 18 percent and 31 percent, respectively, according to an official report from the Ministry of Commerce.

The Kingdom also earned $739 million from cashew nut export, a year-on-year increase of 58 percent, banana exports saw an increase by 21 percent to $76 million, read the report.

Exports of cassava, however, amounted to $417 million, $169 million from rubber export, and $95 million from fresh mango exports, down 13 percent, 16 percent, and 1 percent, respectively.

The report showed that other agricultural products – corn, pepper, longan and cane sugar earned a combined income of some $83 million.

Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, highlighted the sector’s progress, citing that the agricultural sector plays an important role in supporting the socio-economic development of Cambodia, which is more resilient than other sectors

“The agricultural sector has made remarkable progress, transforming from a state of food insecurity to achieving domestic food security, and now exporting millions of tons annually, contributing to global food security,” he said.

China, Vietnam and Thailand are the major importers of Cambodia’s agricultural items. Agriculture is one of the four pillars supporting Cambodia’s economy.

The government has announced the implementation of a new strategic policy, aiming to upgrade agriculture from household to commercial farming and enhance farmers’ income through value-added products.

Under the priority policy, the government deployed agricultural officials in communes nationwide to add human resources for the agricultural sector’s development.

These officials will assist farmers, form agricultural cooperatives, link production chains and guide farmers to reduce production costs.

khmertimeskh