Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Tina pushes high-grade pepper production to stimulate export

Tina pushes high-grade pepper production to stimulate export

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Agriculture minister Tina visits Sela Pepper in Tbong Khmum province’s Memot district. MAFF

Tina pushes high-grade pepper production to stimulate export

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Dith Tina touted the popularity of locally-grown organic pepper and urged farmers and businesses to cultivate and package the product in line with phytosanitary standards to boost exports.

Tina made the suggestion during his January 27 visit to Sela Pepper, an organic pepper producer in Tbong Khmum province’s Memot district, to learn about the company’s production chain, from cleaning and packaging all the way to the laboratory tests before export.

“Khmer organic pepper is popular and in high demand in both export and domestic markets. To exploit its sales potential, we need to cultivate and package the products in line with international hygiene and phytosanitary standards and best agricultural practices. Such products command higher prices,” he said.

He suggested that the General Department of Agriculture cooperate with the provincial department to ensure that more farmers will receive Good Agricultural Practices (CAM GAP) certificates in the future.

According to the ministry, pepper exports to 20 countries from January to November 2022 reached 8,303.92 tonnes, a decrease of more than 70 per cent over 2021, when 27,730.07 tonnes were exported.

Mak Ny, president of the Cambodian Pepper and Spices Federation (CPSF), attributed the decline in peppercorn exports to pricing factors and a general downturn in the global economy.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, he said Cambodia had a total of nearly 7,000ha of pepper plantations, but this has decreased by 10 to 20 per cent.

“Pepper cultivation is almost all aimed at meeting export demand. Domestic consumption accounts for just five to seven per cent of our annual production,” he noted.

Pepper is grown in 18 of the Kingdom’s provinces, with Mondulkiri, Ratanakkiri, Tbong Khmum and Kampot having the most land under cultivation.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.

  • PM urges end to ‘baseless’ international Ream base accusations

    Prime Minister Hun Sen urges an end to “baseless” foreign accusations surrounding the development of the Kingdom’s Ream Naval Base, as the US has consistently suggested that the base is being expanded to accommodate a Chinese military presence. Hun Sen renewed his calls while

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the