The Fisheries Administration (FiA) is waiting for the green light from Beijing to sign a formal protocol allowing the direct export of Cambodian “pra” fish to China, after correcting a list of shortcomings issued by Chinese customs in late January, according to a senior FiA official.

Thay Somony, director of the FiA’s Aquaculture Development Department, told The Post on March 7 that the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) had given the Kingdom “until February 25” to fix a number of faults concerning the three fish farms and processing plant to be initially licensed to export – all four of which are now in full compliance.

Somony confirmed that an official letter and report regarding the modifications made to mitigate the shortcomings has been sent to the Chinese authorities, which have yet to reply.

“If the Chinese side is content with the adjustments, a formal protocol [could be signed] between the [GACC] and the agriculture ministry to be able to bring ‘pra’ fish to China,” he said.

“Pra” in the Khmer language quintessentially refers to Pangasius djambal, but could more broadly describe many – but not all – shark catfish of the Pangasius (P) genus (“po” types such as P larnaudii and P sanitwongsei being notable counterexamples) or other genera in the Pangasiidae family such as Helicophagus and Pangasianodon, but not Pseudolais.

Somony said negotiations on price and demand issues would be held with processing companies that want to export to China in the future, to set rates that both local farmers and Chinese players can accept.

Cambodian Aquaculturist Association (CAA) president Sok Raden said the aquaculture sector was eagerly waiting for any news in connection with “pra” fish to China, as the market rates for the shark catfishes trend down amid increasing production costs.

“‘Pra’ fish is still cheap, but fuel and feed prices are higher. But there is some hope, and farmers expect to be able to export to China soon,” he said.

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Author: Hom Phanet

Source: The Phnom Penh Post

Publication date: 07 March 2022