The Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) will lead 12 rice exporters to join the Salon International de l’Alimentation (SIAL) international food fair in Paris, France from October 19-23. Post Staff
Cambodia exported nearly 450,000 tonnes of milled rice during the first nine months of 2024, reflecting a slight decrease compared to the same period in 2023.
This weekend, the leadership of the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) will lead 12 rice exporters to participate in the Salon International de l’Alimentation (SIAL) international food fair in Paris, France.
According to a CRF press release, this will be the second time the federation joins the event, with the first being in 2014.
It said it aims to promote the rice market in alignment with government policy, which involves the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation on standards and food safety, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to encourage market-driven production.
The federation reported that from January to September 2024, the country exported 445,913 tonnes of milled rice, generating $335.4 million. Although the export volume decreased by 2.3% compared to the same period in 2023, revenue increased by 2.4%.
Milled rice was exported to 65 countries and territories through 54 exporters. Major markets included Europe (26 countries), which received 228,731 tonnes worth $186.67 million; China (including Hong Kong and Macau) with 81,423 tonnes valued at $52.63 million; ASEAN countries (including Timor-Leste) with 86,043 tonnes valued at $52.23 million; and 49,716 tonnes worth $43.87 million to 29 other destinations in Africa, the Middle East, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, according to the CRF.
Fragrant rice made up 72.01% of exports, white rice accounted for 22.52%, parboiled rice for 3.31%, organic rice for 1.82% and other varieties comprised 0.34%.
In addition to milled rice, the country exported 3,368,012 tonnes of paddy, valued at over $1.066 billion, with 86.3% of these exports processed through formal channels with authorised documentation.
CRF secretary-general Lun Yeng told The Post on the evening of October 15 that although exports to the EU and the Middle East saw positive growth, a decline in exports to China, Cambodia’s largest market, led to the overall slight drop in rice exports during the first three quarters of 2024.
He also noted that the prices of milled and paddy rice had slightly increased compared to 2023.
“Although milled rice export volume decreased slightly during the first nine months of 2024, we are focusing on growing exports to Indonesia, Europe and Timor-Leste,” he said.
Lay Chhun Hour, CEO of City Rice Import Export Co Ltd, which specialises in milling and exporting, explained that several factors have contributed to the slight decline in the country’s exports.
He said these include increased rice production in China, which was once a major market for Cambodia, the resumption of rice exports from India and the continued large-scale purchases of paddy by neighbouring traders from Cambodia.
“Our rice exports have indeed decreased slightly due to China harvesting more rice than before, and India, a major rice-exporting country, resuming its exports,” he said.
In 2023, Cambodia exported 656,323 tonnes of milled rice worth $466 million to 61 countries through 63 exporters, representing a 3% increase in volume and a 13% rise in revenue compared to 2022.
The country exported 4,387,363 tonnes of paddy rice, valued at approximately $1.32 billion, with 64% of exports certified by authorities. Paddy export volume increased by 26.5%, while revenue grew by 56.69% compared to 2022, according to the CRF.
