Cambodian rice exports have dramatically declined over the past three months compared to the same period last year, according to data released by the General Department of Agriculture yesterday.

The data detailed that rice exports had a monthly decrease of 14.5 per cent in March, 30.8 per cent in April, and 28.5 per cent in May.

Rice exports in the first five months of this year totalled 234,328 tonnes, compared to the 243,025 tonnes exported in the same period last year, a year-on-year decrease of 3.7 per cent.

“It is really concerning for the rice industry,” said Hean Vanhan, deputy-general director of the General Department of Agriculture.

“The government has long since set a mechanism to solve the challenges of the rice industry by creating [a joint private and public sector working group]. But it has not achieved the desired results.”

Hun Lak, vice president of CRF, said that rice exports always fluctuate as a result of price drops in competing rice industries.

“Fluctuations in the rice industry always happen, the situation will be better in October,” he said.

“In order for our rice industry to survive, we [industry members] must have a strong commitment to solving the problem together and must build strong leadership before asking others to help us.”