Live lobster, eel, elephant fish and snail are green light for export to China, according to the Chinese embassy in Phnom Penh posted on its official Facebook page on August 07. PHOTO SUPPLIED
The Chinese embassy in Phnom Penh has announced a welcome boost for local fisheries. On August 7, its official Facebook page declared that China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) had cleared the way for four additional Cambodian fisheries products: Lobster, eel, elephant fish and snail.
The embassy explained that the GACC had recently updated its list of countries and regions permitted to export specific types of fish to China. Cambodian firm Tienit International Trading has met all requirements, including registration and report submission.
“This marks the first company to complete fisheries export registration to China following the signing of the protocol on phytosanitary requirements for fisheries exports between China and Cambodia,” said the embassy.
“Building upon the existing traditional fisheries trade between China and Cambodia, encompassing lobster, eel, elephant fish and snail, these complete fisheries are fully authorised for export to China,” it added.
By May 30, 2022, Cambodian aquaculture firms had finalised their registration with the GACC. Natural fisheries completed biological registration by May 24, 2023, and as of August 1, the last export procedure to China was finished.
“At this juncture, all Cambodian fisheries have gained approval for import into China. This accomplishment in establishing trade with China represents a significant stride in exporting Cambodian agricultural goods to the Chinese market,” the embassy highlighted.
Yet confirmation of this expanded export opportunity from the Fisheries Administration (FiA) – which operates under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries – remains outstanding. Previously, 12 types of natural fisheries products were registered with China, setting the stage for entry into the market after an official agreement in November 2022.
On August 8, FiA deputy director-general Khov Koung revealed the types of natural fisheries products authorised for export to China through Kim Chou Co Ltd Import Export and International Transportation.
“The recently approved four products are live fisheries items, differing from the previous 12 products permitted by Chinese customs as frozen goods,” Koung explained.
“Frozen products require processing and storage in freezers. Conversely, lobster, eel, elephant fish and snail are exported by Cambodian firm Tienit International Trading as live items supplemented with oxygen for transport”.
Heng Meng Ty, assistant director at Kim Chou, noted that other businesses have sought his expertise on exporting fisheries products to China. He said his company plans to begin purchasing specific natural fisheries items from mid-September, targeting a start to exports by the end of the year.
“We’re monitoring the flood situation as we can’t immediately secure some products due to unstable flooding in certain provinces. Natural products aren’t consistently available, making it challenging to meet our export requirements,” he explained.
That said, Ty is optimistic about the future, confirming that his firm has requested permission to export between 300 and 1,000 tonnes of each product over a five-year span. If their capacity grows, allowing for greater collection and exports, they may aim for a higher export volume after the initial period.
The recent developments build on a promising trend in Cambodian fisheries. In May, 12 natural fisheries and aquatic products, including freshwater shrimps, “big pra” and “khchao” shark catfish, water snails, freshwater eel, grasshopper lobsters, and various shrimp types, were approved by the GACC for export to the Chinese market.
