According to a Cambodian market study, the fruit markets in the nation is expanding, and consumption is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.1 percent over the next five years. During the period January-July of 2022, Cambodia shipped more than 250,000 tons of fresh bananas to international markets. Of this, around 220,000 tons of the fruit were exported to China and 24,000 tons to Vietnam, according to the Ministry of Agriculture data. This means that China continues to be the major importer of Cambodian farm produce.
In the case of dried fruits and nuts, 98 percent of Cambodian products are shipped to China, and 90 percent of the tropical fruits are exported to Thailand and Vietnam, where they are processed for value addition and re-exported.
Meanwhile, Cambodian exports of fresh mangos at 117,951.55 metric tons in January-July of 2022 were down around 27 percent (161,228 metric tons) compared with the same period of the previous year. Shipment of bananas declined modestly during the period, according to a recent announcement by the Agriculture Ministry.
According to Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Veng Sakhon, the decline is due to rising costs, a lack of proper storage facilities and the strict anti-Covid measures in China. Still, the government has been striving to increase the production of agricultural produce across the country and look for newer export markets to help increase farmers’ income.
Source: khmertimeskh.com