The Kingdom’s Sen Kra-ob (SKO) fragrant rice has been awarded gold at the “1st China-ASEAN Taste Quality Appraisal Activities of High-Quality Indica Rice Variety”. Heng Chivoan
Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul has emphasised the need to enhance the quality and sustainability of Cambodian rice exports to build a long-lasting reputation on the international stage.
“The primary focus for us is sustainability and trust in the quality of Cambodian rice. We’re not just looking at today or tomorrow, or even the next couple of years. Our vision is to elevate the Kingdom’s reputation on the international stage and in the rice market for many years to come,” she stated.
The minister made the remarks at a national workshop held on March 12 in Phnom Penh, on the “Development Strategy for the Expansion and Diversification of the Cambodian Rice Market”, organised by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), in collaboration with the commerce ministry and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Nimul also called for the creation of a collective brand for Cambodian rice exports and stressed the importance of certifying the quality of rice responsibly.
“Please think about quality first and the demand for sustainability,” she added, emphasising the need to establish a “clear and reliable source and supply of rice”.
She highlighted that in 2023, the country ranked as the world’s 10th-largest rice exporter.
Nimul said that despite being a small nation, Cambodia competes effectively in rice production with countries that have larger areas and populations.
FAO representative to Cambodia Rebekha Bell noted the highly competitive nature of the sector regionally and globally.
She stressed that the strategy being developed should serve as a guiding document for future investment and action.
Bell explained that the strategy should provide clear direction to optimise farmer incomes, create value addition opportunities for businesses in rural economies and enhance the export of milled rice to markets where Cambodia holds competitive advantages.
“This strategy should draw on successful experiences and lessons from the policy on paddy rice production and promotion of milled rice exports, launched in 2010, as well as from global rice exporters like India, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the US, Australia and others,” she stated.
Bell also reaffirmed the UN agency’s commitment to supporting the implementation of the plan and to further cooperation in investment in agricultural and agri-food trade opportunities.
At the workshop, agriculture ministry secretary of state Yang Saing Koma underscored the country’s potential in rice production and export.
He emphasised the necessity of enhanced cooperation, particularly among the agricultural and commerce ministries and the Cambodian Rice Federation (CRF) – the Kingdom’s apex rice industry body – to achieve success in the endeavour.
