The three noodle factories in Cambodia have been asked to increase their production to nearly 700,000 boxes during the pandemic. Post Staff
The government has urged local noodle producers to increase their production by nearly 700,000 boxes to maintain a stable supply during the Covid-19 pandemic and to stabilise the price of the commodity in the market.
The move comes after Prime Minister Hun Sen on April 5 called on noodle producers and pure drinking water companies to increase production for domestic markets during the pandemic.
“I urged a local instant noodle processing factory to produce noodles for the government to supply food for people who are starving. I have also prepared for pure drinking water to be reserved for the people,” he said.
Government data obtained by The Post showed that the three noodle factories in Cambodia have been working to increase production to 670,000 boxes to satisfy domestic demand during the pandemic.
Factories have been directed to reserve 150,000 cases as a stockpile.
One More Manufacturing Co Ltd managing director Lau Vann whose company owns and operates Mee Chiet, an instant-noodle processing plant, told The Post on Monday that his factory is working to double production to contribute to the government.
This, he said, will help to maintain food sustainability and keep prices stable in the markets.
“As Cambodians fight against Covid-19, the Mee Chiet company is ready to support the government’s strategy and measures, especially in increasing production to fill local market demand in this difficult time.
“The company has maintained the same sales price and continuously promoted and expanded distribution in the capital and the provinces,” he said.
Vann said his company has also ordered more raw materials to meet the needs of Cambodians.
“We have conducted a study of the risks of Covid-19 and are preparing a strategy to respond to the situation.
“In terms of production capacity, we have been following government guidelines and continue to produce to meet market demand.
“I would like to call on all Cambodians to support this and all local products and to contribute to the promotion and development of the national economy,” he said.
The government recently decided to suspend exports of white rice, paddy, and fish to sustain a steady food supply during the pandemic.
Besides, the Green Trade of the Ministry of Commerce and the Cambodian Rice Federation have released tens of thousands of tonnes of milled rice into the domestic market.
They said they kept prices affordable to prevent opportunistic traders from raising them during the pandemic.
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries spokesman Srey Vuthy told The Post last week that the supply of agricultural products, including vegetables, fish and meat would be sufficient for domestic demand as the government curbs the spread of Covid-19.
The ministry is prepared to stock around 130 tonnes of pork per day for three months during the pandemic.
Cambodia’s total annual meat demand is estimated to be 290,000 tonnes, and the Kingdom can produce 239,000 tonnes domestically.
It is expected to be able to supply 716,113 tonnes of domestic vegetables in 2020, which would satisfy 68 per cent of the estimated total demand of over one million tonnes.
