PHNOM PENH, June 7, 2024 – According to the latest report from the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF), the country's rice exports saw a significant increase in the first five months of the year, totaling 302,592 tonnes, an 8.7 percent rise from 278,184 tonnes during the same period in the previous year.

The revenue from milled rice exports also climbed to $219 million, marking a 14 percent increase from $191 million last year. The CRF report highlighted that the rice was distributed to 63 countries via 48 exporters. China remained the top buyer, purchasing 73,322 tonnes of milled rice valued at $46 million.

The report detailed further distribution, noting that European Union countries received 136,528 tonnes worth $104 million, ASEAN countries bought 65,412 tonnes valued at $46 million, and other destinations accounted for 27,330 tonnes worth $22.9 million. Among the exported varieties were fragrant rice, long-grain white rice, parboiled rice, and organic rice, with fragrant rice making up 71 percent of the exports.

In addition to milled rice, Cambodia also exported 2.44 million tonnes of paddy rice valued at $710 million to neighbouring countries. The CRF has set a target for milled rice exports to reach 750,000 tonnes in 2023 and aims to increase this to one million tonnes by 2025.