Cambodia exported a total of 56,724 head of cattle from 2013 to last year – making it good potential for the sector, said a Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries report.

Exports in 2013 yielded 19,753 head of cattle, but this decreased to 12,161 and 7,335 in 2014 and 2015.

Cambodia exported 11,240 head of cattle last year, almost double the 2016 figure at 6,235, according to the ministry’s annual report.

‘This is the trade’

Ministry spokesman Srey Vuthy said with the increase in exports, the ministry is now promoting the sector to focus on large-scale livestock farms.

He said with the increasing trends, there is good potential for livestock farming to expand due to the high demand for livestock in Vietnam.

“Livestock production has increased and demands increase year-on-year. Our export destination is Vietnam while their consumption is high, especially cattle."

The report said Cambodia also imported 4,000 head of cattle last year.

“This is the trade. There’s always a gap in commercial trade profit. The ministry is encouraging farmers to expand to large-scale [farming] of cattle in order to generate further profits,” Vuthy said.

Big investments

The director of the Cambodia Livestock Raisers Association, Srun Poav, said that livestock exports are small compared to neighbouring countries, while local livestock consumption always fluctuates as well.

“Exports are very small compared to neighbouring [countries’] markets, and our supply for local consumption is not stable because of fluctuations in market price. Even pig farms are not stable anymore."

How can farmers look to cattle farms for exports?,” Poav asked.

He said cattle farms are big investments that farmers cannot afford. Most cattle are used for cultivation and supply for local consumption.