News Details

Export of agri-products touched $4.3B last year

NPO

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January 8, 2024

KHMER TIMES

Cambodia exported 8.4 million tons of agricultural products last year, earning around $4.3 billion in revenue, said a report from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

The agricultural product exports inched down in volume year-on-year by nearly 2 percent in quantity compared to a year before, read the report.

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

Exports of milled rice and paddy rice earned $567 million and $939 million, respectively read the report. The non-rice agricultural exports were valued at $2.8 billion.

This indicates that the agricultural sector plays an important role in supporting the socio-economic development of Cambodia, which is more resilient than other sectors, stated the ministry.

“The overall situation of agricultural exports in 2023 remains good, with rice exports growing by more than 3 percent despite regional conflicts, war crisis, economic crises, climate change and bans of food exports [in some countries,” the ministry said.

Agriculture is one of the four pillars supporting Cambodia’s economy. The sector contributed 24.4 percent to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country in 2021, added the ministry report.

China, Vietnam and Thailand are the major importers of Cambodia’s agricultural items.

Im Rachna, spokeswoman of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, earlier said the ministry’s policies for the agricultural sector not only focus on ensuring food security in the country but also finding export markets for high-quality agricultural products.

“The export of natural fishery products to the Chinese market will not only boost trade between Cambodia and China, but it will also contribute to the livelihood of Cambodian fishermen,” Rachna.

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

Under the priority policy, the government deploys 250 agricultural officials and the number will be raised to over 1,300 by 2025 in communes nationwide to add human resources for the agricultural sector’s development.

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

“Agriculture remains one of the main drivers of Cambodia’s economic development. We now put in place additional policies to strengthen our agricultural potential, helping farmers benefit more from agriculture,” Prime Minister Hun Manet said in November last year.

The policy also aims to upgrade the traditional agricultural practices to modern methods, the Premier added.