Nearly half of total rice output exported to 123 global markets

Nearly half of total rice output exported to 123 global markets

The Cambodian rice sector has recorded significant growth.

With the solid backing from the Royal Government over the past decade, the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) registered a record growth of producing over 14 million tonnes of rice in 2024.

Marking its 10th anniversary on Monday, the CRF summed up its achievements saying it has 301 active members that export rice to 123 international destinations.

The CRF 10th anniversary was presided over by Sun Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice-Chairman of the Council of the Development of Cambodia (CDC), and Chan Sokheang, President of CRF, in the presence of Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation.

Speaking at the event, Chanthol highlighted the establishment of the CRF in 2014, initiated under his leadership as former Minister of Commerce (MoC), aiming to foster competitiveness, unity and comprehensive cooperation within Cambodia’s rice production chain.

Chanthol recalled that one of the major challenges at the time was the lack of unity within the private sector. Stakeholders operated independently and often competed against one another, which weakened the cohesion of industry.

He added that this fragmentation hindered efforts by both the Royal Government and the sector itself, particularly in advancing rice milling, expanding market access and improving cultivation practices.

The Deputy Prime Minister noted that a decade ago, the Kingdom faced a significant shortage in domestic food supply and relied heavily on imported products from neighbouring countries to meet local consumer demand.

“To address these challenges, as well as to promote the rice production and export policy implemented in 2010, I requested the Royal Government to reform the private sector, which led to the establishment of the CRF,” Chanthol added.

In his remarks, Sokheang reported that over the past 10 years, the Cambodian rice sector has recorded significant growth, with a total of 301 active members under CRF, including 87 rice mills, 125 rice exporting companies, 56 communities, and 33 enterprises supporting the industry.

Additionally, the Kingdom exported over 21.45 million tonnes of paddy rice between 2018 and 2024—an achievement that CRF President credited to the stable development fostered under the peace led by former Prime Minister Hun Sen, Senate President, and continued under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet.

Sokheang underlined that economic support from the Royal Government over the past decade has played a critical role in enhancing the competitiveness of rice mills.

“This includes various tax exemption mechanisms, streamlined export procedures, financial interventions through the Agricultural and Rural Development Bank (ARDB), and infrastructure investments such as expanded irrigation networks.”

He also expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) for strengthening the pure seed system, which underpins the sector’s production capacity, contributing to the surge in rice production from 8 million tonnes to over 14 million tonnes in 2024.

“Cambodia is now able to ensure food security, maintain an export surplus of over 650,000 tonnes of milled rice, and ship over 5 million tonnes of paddy rice to global markets,” he added.

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