Friday, 9 October 2009

Cambodia to Continue Rice Exports Despite Natural Disasters


Written by DAP NEWS -- Thursday, 08 October 2009
(Post by CAAI News Media)

Both agricultural NGOs and Cambodia Rice Mill Association (CRMA) officials both said that Cambodia still aims at increasing rice exports next year despite the recent natural disasters that have hit the kingdom.

Lay Seang Hong, enterprise director of the Cambodian Center for Study and Development in Agricult- ure (CEDAC), on Wednesday told DAP News Cambodia that his organization plans to export 100 tons more organic rice in 2010, with exports planned to the US, Germany and Malaysia.

“In 2009, our organization exported rice to the US and Malaysia only 50 tons, but next year, we have a plan to export more than this,” said Lay Seang Hong. “Right now in Cambo-dia, many private companies invest and install high standard machines as both the Government and companies are interested in exporting.”

Lay Seang Hong claimed that flooding and storms would have little effect on next year’s exports. “Only 2-3 months before it reaches harvest season we have contacted farmers and affiliated institutions to prepare.” CRMA President Phou Puy said that since January this year his association has exported to international markets more than 7,500 tons of rice, also an increase over last year.

“Now we have many international markets in European countries along with the neighboring countries,” Phou Puy told DAP News Cambodia, adding that “we have installed high standard machines.”

Phou Puy stated that the rice destroyed by flooding recently in Cambodia would not affect rice exports.

Secretary of State of Commerce Ministry Mao Thora on Wednesday could not be reached for comment.

No comments: