With the approval of Cambodian coconuts to be exported to China this year, Cambodian local coconut farmers and exporters are working together to prepare for the export of coconuts to China.
Thai Chandala, a fruit farmer with a 20-hectare coconut plantation in Monich's Tuanjie district, Siju province, said that his coconuts are currently mainly supplied to the local market. He is already working with an exporter and is ready to export his coconuts to China. Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture officials have also sent people to his orchard to assess whether his coconuts meet the conditions for exporting to China.
He also said that during last year's harvest season, he sold about 600 to 1,000 coconuts in his home market at a price of 2,000 riel each.
As of 2023, Cambodia has nearly 20,000 hectares (19,998 hectares) of coconut plantations, of which 14,000 hectares or 71% are harvested. The total output in 2023 will reach 258,000 tons, a year-on-year increase of 2.4%.
It is worth mentioning that in August 2023, China Customs carried out a remote risk analysis and inspection of Cambodian fresh coconut exports to China; In September, the governments of China and Cambodia signed the Protocol on Phytosanitary Requirements for the Export of Cambodian Fresh Coconuts to China. In January 2024, China Customs will carry out a protocol compliance review for Cambodian fresh coconut exporters to China; In February, China Customs announced the list of enterprises related to Cambodian coconut exports to China, which lasted just over half a year.
On April 22, 2024, Cambodia and China held a ceremony for the export of Cambodian coconuts to China.
This is the first Cambodian high-quality agricultural product to be approved for export to China in 2024, and it is another new achievement of China-Cambodia practical cooperation. So far, Cambodia has four major fruits: banana, mango, longan and coconut that can be exported to China.
It is understood that the provinces with the most coconut cultivation in Cambodia are Siju Province, Kampot Province and Sihanoukville Province, followed by Kampong Chhnang Province, Pursat Province, Battambang Province, Buttam Province, Buttam Province, Phattao Province, Svay Rieng Province and Siem Reap Province.