Talll trees and green fields stretch toward the horizon in Mondulkiri province. With the advent of the rainy season, the showers feed and rejuvenate the scenic views.

They also help produce a bounty of fresh fruits from the area including durian, passion fruit, mangosteen, rambutan and avocado. But visitors must be wary when shopping for food in the region as much of it is imported.

The area is famous for its locally grown avocados, and picking them with your own two hands is an experience that shouldn’t be missed.

Perfect after waterfall visit

Stopping at a farm 10km from the centre of Mondulkiri’s capital, The Post caught up with Pi Nara, a traveller who was excited to see what a Cambodian avocado farm was really like.

“I think many tourists have the same feeling when they arrive at such a farm,” Nara says.

Located in Romnea commune, the farm of Tong Heng is on a 7ha plot and harvests avocados from July until September or October. Each tree can produce 200kg in a single season.

Ya, the manager of Tong Heng’s farm, which also grows durian, mangoes, bananas and passionfruit, says yields are large in the beginning of the season but gradually taper off.

He says the price of avocados in the beginning of the season is 10,000 riel ($2.50) per kg but falls to 6,000 riel at the close of the season.

But farms in the area are able to supply visitors with fresh avocados nearly the whole year, which is good as sales often surpass those imported from Thailand.

Sopheak who is an avocado vendor and officer for the Mondulkiri Provincial Department of Tourism, says, “off-season avocados in Mondulkiri province can be harvested from November to April with a price of around 10,000 riel per kg”.

Mondulkiri Provincial Department of Tourism director Ngin Sovimean attests to the province’s reputation as an agro-tourism destination.

“Many tourists wish to taste fruits such as avocados and passionfruit after visiting our natural mountains and waterfalls,” he says.