Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Bird’s nest producers eye China market

Bird’s nest producers eye China market

Bird’s nest producers eye China market

Edible bird’s nest producers have called on the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) to facilitate the industry’s access to the Chinese market.

Nang Sothy, president of the Cambodia Bird’s Nest Federation, said yesterday that the association had requested the MoC to include the delicacy on the list of items eligable to apply for China’s strict Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) protocols.

“Cambodia has never officially exported to China. But now we want to be their official supplier so that we no longer depend on Vietnam and Thailand to access the market,” Sothy said.

Currently, Sothy said Cambodia exports the raw edible bird’s nest, made from the saliva of Asian Swiftlet birds, for about $800 per kilogram to Vietnam and Thailand where it is then processed and sent to China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Korea.

“We need SPS protocols to get into the Chinese market. We cannot get good prices when we are forced to sell our products to Vietnam and Thailand,” he said, citing the price for processed bird’s nest at $2,000.

Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce could not be reached for comment.

MOST VIEWED

  • 12th Cambodia int’l film festival to see return of Hollywood star

    Phnom Penh is set to come alive with the magic of cinema as the highly anticipated 12th Cambodia International Film Festival (CIFF) takes centre stage. Boasting an impressive line-up of 188 films from 23 countries, including captivating shorts, feature films, documentaries and animation, the festival promises an

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Struggling Battambang artist dreams of staging full-scale gallery exhibition

    Leav Kimchhoth, a 55-year-old artist from Battambang province, is a familiar face to locals and tourists alike on the streets of the riverside in Phnom Penh. The one-armed painter and illustrator often hawks his work near the night market on weekends and public holidays. He

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • New Law on Taxation comes into effect

    Cambodia has enacted the eagerly-awaited new Law on Taxation, which aims to improve the national tax regime’s compliance with present and future international standards and economic conditions; encourage accountability, effectiveness and transparency in the collection process; and promote investment in the Kingdom. King Norodom