CAMBODIA could export a record one million tonnes of rice this year, buoyed by sustained demand stemming from Covid-19 uncertainty.
It's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced that the country had exported 350,000 tonnes of rice in the first five months of the year, to more than 60 countries.
Senior ministry official Ngin Chhay hopes rice exports may near the one million tonne mark if orders retain their momentum, or at least exceed 800,000 tonnes, reports the Phnom Penh Post.
At the same time, Chhay urged farmers, investors and exporters to work together to ensure that rice products meet quality standards to maintain existing markets and secure new ones.
The ministry reported that milled rice exports to the international market in the first five months of this year skyrocketed more than 42 per cent to 356,097 tonnes from 250,172 tonnes during the same period last year.
The European market accounted for 122,010 tonnes, up 51 per cent year-on-year from 80,749 tonnes; the Chinese market 136,825 tonnes, up 25 per cent; Asean countries 45,825 tonnes, up 45 per cent; and other destinations 51,437 tonnes, up 79 per cent.
Fragrant rice accounted for 289,287 tonnes, or 81 per cent, white long-grain rice 62,779 tonnes and long-grain parboiled rice 4,031 tonnes.
Last month alone, rice exports reached 55,845 tonnes, an increase of more than 53 per cent compared to May last year.
Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) board chairman Hun Lak attributed this to two main factors – increased domestic production and expanding stockpiles worldwide in response to the pandemic.
He said that if everything runs as smoothly as it is now, then exports will hit the one million tonne target as predicted.
CRF secretary-general Lun Yeng said Cambodia is now capable of exporting rice in excess of one million tonnes per year as padi production continues to grow gradually.
"But I would not be so bold as to formulate an estimate of how much money we would bring in, as prices are subject to fluctuation. I do, however, expect we'll make more than last year," said Yeng.
Cambodia's premium-grade fragrant rice sells for US$920 per tonne on the intaernational market, while standard-grade fragrant rice fetches US$830 and standard-grade white rice goes for US$550, he said.
The government originally pledged in Aug 2010 to export one million tonnes of rice by 2015.
But it managed exports of only 387,000 tonnes in 2014; 538,396 tonnes in 2015; 542,144 tonnes in 2016; 635,679 tonnes in 2017; 626,225 tonnes in 2018; and 620,106 tonnes last year, CRF data show.