The agriculture ministry -- through its Plant Protection, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Department -- ran a March 3 workshop in Mondulkiri province to share phytosanitary protocols and requirements for peppercorn exports to China.

The workshop, organised with the support of Germany's international development agency GIZ, was attended by officials from the department, as well as the provincial agriculture departments from Mondulkiri, Tbong Khmum, Kampot, Kep, Kratie and Preah Vihear. Also present were representatives of GIZ and several export companies.

It aimed to give the participants a clearer understanding of the process for registering plantations and packaging facilities, as well as the good agricultural practices (GAP) for pepper and phytosanitary requirements, among others, for exports to China.

Local pepper associations and growers hailed peppercorn exports to China, saying they would strengthen the quality and quantity of exports to other international markets.

Cambodian Pepper and Spices Federation (CPSF) president Mak Ny said it was good news that Cambodian peppercorn could be formally exported directly to China.

“One of the major challenges faced by pepper farmers is the high cost of production, and wholesale prices have fallen in the last few years. I encourage those who wish to export it to China to register as soon as possible and take advantage of the new market,” he added.

The General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) greenlit the exports of Cambodian peppercorn in November last year.

There are currently 18 provinces cultivating pepper, with Mondulkiri, Ratanakkiri, Tbong Khmum and Kampot producing the bulk of the Kingdom’s pepper.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, as of November 2022, Cambodia had exported more than 8,000 tonnes of peppercorn to Europe and the US, as well as regional markets like Vietnam, Taiwan and India.