Cambodia's fresh produce sector has seen notable growth in the early part of this year, with key fruit and vegetable exports performing strongly.
The main fresh produce items exported included bananas, mangoes, cassava, cashew nuts, corn, pepper, and longan.
From January to May, cashew nut exports brought in $739 million, reflecting a 58 per cent year-on-year increase. Banana exports rose by 21 per cent to $76 million. Fresh mango exports amounted to $95 million, representing a slight decrease of 1 per cent.
Cassava exports totalled $417 million, down 13 per cent compared to the same period last year. Corn, pepper, and longan, along with other fresh produce, earned a combined total of around $83 million.
Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, highlighted the sector's importance in supporting Cambodia's socio-economic development, noting its resilience and key role in food security and export growth.
China, Vietnam, and Thailand remain the top destinations for Cambodia's fresh produce. Agriculture is one of the four key pillars of the national economy.
To support this growth, the government has launched a new strategic policy aimed at transitioning agriculture from subsistence to commercial farming, with a focus on increasing farmer incomes through value-added products.
As part of this policy, agricultural officials have been deployed across communes nationwide to strengthen human resources in the sector. These officials will support farmers in forming cooperatives, streamlining production chains, and reducing production costs.
Source: Khmer Times
