Thailand may not export certain varieties of Cambodian-grown, but Thai-milled, rice internationally due to fears of intellectual property violations.

Cambodian Malis rice is very similar to jasmine rice, and Thailand has expressed concerns that it may infringe on the Thai-owned jasmine rice variety.

The Ministry of Agriculture has been advocating that Cambodian farmers grow other Cambodian rice varieties to avoid such problems in the future.

The export of up to one million tonnes of Malis rice would not be a problem, but exports that would compete with Thai rice exports ran the danger of being sued, Minister of Agriculture Chan Sarun said.

The DNA of Malis rice would be tested in the future, he said.

The ministry has asked farmers to produce Phkar Romdoul, Phkar Romieut and Phkar Romdeng rice to avoid the problem.

To contact the reporter on this story: Rann Reuy at [email protected]