A vendor sells mixed vegetables in a market in Phnom Penh. Heng Chivoan
Cambodia exported approximately 220 tonnes of mixed vegetables to international markets in 2023, marking a substantial increase of over 100% compared to the previous year. Vegetable producers have noted, however, that the import of similar goods from neighbouring countries remains high.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ 2023 annual report detailed that the country’s total agricultural product exports amounted to 8,449,414 tonnes, a slight decrease of 1.9% year-on-year.
The export of mixed vegetables accounted for 220.21 tonnes, surging by 106.07%.
The report did not detail the revenue from 2023’s mixed vegetable exports, but noted that shipments of other agricultural products, excluding rice – like cassava, cashew nuts, mung beans, soybeans, mangoes, bananas, longans, oil palms and pepper – amounted to $2.8 billion.
Sok Yorn, vice-president of the Siem Reap-based Cambodia Safe Fish, Meat and Vegetables Association (CSFMVA), said that government measures to strengthen food security and promote exports have somewhat boosted agricultural activities.
He suggested that enhancing cultivation and expanding the domestic market would be beneficial, especially given the high daily imports of mixed vegetables from neighbouring countries, particularly Vietnam.
“The increase in vegetable exports to overseas markets is positive, as it means all products meet standard quality levels,” he added.
Yorn urged border authorities to rigorously inspect the quality and origin of agricultural products imported into Cambodia, to safeguard the health of domestic consumers.
Hun Lak, CEO of Tropicam Fruit and Vegetable Co Ltd, highlighted that high-value produce such as roots and spices are easy to transport abroad.
He added that his company has begun exporting these products for testing in South Korea and is exploring opportunities in European countries via air transport.
“Currently, we are limited to exporting vegetables and spices like herbs, chili, galangal, curcuma and fingerroot, etc., due to their high demand and value in the international market, as well as their ease of storage and transport. We don’t export other types of vegetables, such as leafy greens … because they don’t fetch high prices in the market,” he explained.
Lak added that his company is focusing on producing fruits and vegetables for the local market to meet the rising demand for safe consumption and has established net houses for cultivating safe vegetables in provinces such as Kandal, Kampong Cham and Mondulkiri, reflecting efforts to expand their supply and transportation chains.
