CAMBODIA’S rice export volumes quadrupled in the first half of the year compared to the period 2010, according to statistics from the Ministry of Commerce’s Camcontrol Department.

High domestic average yields, rising international prices, and increased international recognition has led to the growth, Camcontrol statistics office Director Khoun Savuth said yesterday.

Cambodia exported 80,442 tonnes worth US$45.68 million in the first six months, compared to 17,144 tonnes worth $13.43 million in the same period last year, Camcontrol statistics show.

Loran Import Export Company General Director Lim Bun Heng said the firm had exported about 18,000 tonnes in the six month period, from about 6,000 tonnes in the first half last year.

The firm initially began exporting to African nations in 2009, but Europe has become its major market overseas, and shipments to China are likely to begin at the end of 2011.

“Present increased rice exports show the goal to export one million tonnes by 2015 can be successfully achieved,” he said.

Loran had exported about 7,000 tonnes of milled rice in 2010, but aims for as much as 40,000 tonnes this year, said Lim Bun Heng.

Mega Green Cambodia Company has seen its exports triple in the first six months compared year-on-year, said its General Director Uth Ren.

“The quality of rice is becoming more standardised, and the government tries to increase rice exports through measures such as tax incentives,” he said.

Its exports of 5 percent broken rice is fetching about $878 a tonne, an increase of about $20 from last year, he said. Its 10 percent broken rice fetches about $530, an increase of about $75 a tonne, he claimed.