Cambodian rice exports to international markets grew by more than 21 percent in the first two months of this year (Photo: www.phnompenhpost.com)Phnom Penh (VNA) – Cambodian riceexports to international markets grew by more than 21 percent in the first twomonths of this year despite global concerns over the COVID-19 epidemic, accordingto the country’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The Phnom Penh Post newspaper quotedCambodian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Veng Sakhorn assaying that in the period under review, Cambodia shipped 136,499 tonnes of riceabroad, a year-on-year increase of 21.34 percent.
China is the leading market for the grainfrom Cambodia, with a market share of 37.43 percent, followed by the Europeanmarket at 30.31 percent, ASEAN countries at 18.48 percent and other destinationsat 13.78 percent.
Secretary-General of the Cambodia RiceFederation (CRF) Lun Yeng said that rice exports are rising in all exportdestinations.
He noted tariffs on exports to European marketsdecreased from 175 EUR (about 195 USD) per tonne in 2019 to 150 EUR per tonne in 2020, whichlikely led to the increase.
He voiced his belief that the Cambodianrice is becoming more popular in China. However, transport via waterway has reducedsignificantly, which may impede delivery of goods.
Chan Sokheang, CEO of Signature of AsiaCo., a local rice exporter to several countries around the world, saidCambodia’s rice exports in early 2020 were positive and will continue to grow,adding that the COVID-19 outbreak will not impact rice exports from the country.
According to a CRF report, in 2019,Cambodia exported 620,106 tonnes of rice, down 0.97 percent from 626,225 tonnesin 2018./.
VNA
