PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has officially announced that exports of longan to the Chinese market will finally begin by the end of October. These exports are expected to help increase people's incomes and also promote agricultural development and economic growth in Cambodia.
Speaking at the launch ceremony of Cambodia's longan exports to China on Thursday, 27 October, the Minister of Agriculture, Dith Tina, said that beginning to officially export longan to China is the third major export achievement Cambodia has made, after China also approved the export of trout and corn this year.
He said that the results achieved from the efforts to ensure quality and safety, as well as open potential new markets for Cambodian agricultural products, is aimed at improving the local incomes and livelihoods of longan farmers, and promoting agricultural development and economic growth in Cambodia.
"Before deciding to officially launch the export of longan to China, the Cambodian and Chinese sides worked together for three years to check the conditions, requirements and hygiene levels, inspect the market and also officially register longan plantations and packaging factories," he said.
Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia, Wang Wentian, spoke at the inauguration ceremony and said that this is another important achievement made in China-Cambodia agricultural cooperation, which will bring benefits to the people of both countries, and will also promote further development and friendly relations between China and Cambodia.
The Chinese Ambassador added that from 2019 until the end of June 2022, Cambodia exported a total of 2.4 million tons of agricultural products to China, with a total export value of 1.9 billion dollars. These exports include bananas, mangoes, fish, corn, and lentils.
Ambassador Wang Wentian said he believes that more high-quality Cambodian agricultural products will be exported to China in the coming years, taking the agricultural cooperation between China and Cambodia to a new level, which will greatly help the development of the local community.
At present, 74 longan plantations and eight packaging factories in Cambodia have been officially recognized by China and are allowed to export to the Chinese market. Of the 74 plantations, 40 are located in Pailin, 28 in Battambang, and six in Banteay Meanchey. Among the eight packaging factories, one is located in Kandal, three are in Battambang, two in Pailin, and two in Sihanoukville.
