Cambodia exported a total of 64,660 tonnes of soybeans and mung beans in the first four months of this year, roughly doubling from the same period in 2021, with more than 96.5 per cent bought by Vietnam, according to the agriculture ministry.

In January-April, soybean and mung bean exports amounted to 53,960 tonnes and 10,700 tonnes, respectively, both rising by 100 per cent year-on-year, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries reported.

All mung bean exports went to Vietnam, which was also the top buyer of soybeans, at 51,710 tonnes or 95.8 per cent of the total, followed by Thailand (2,250 tonnes).

While the ministry did not disclose the export value of the two Faboideae legumes – a category known in Khmer as “sandek” – but reported that exports of non-rice agricultural products over the period – including cassava, cashew nuts, fresh bananas, pomelos, mangoes, palm oil, peppercorn, tobacco, corn and other vegetables – clocked in at more than $1.087 billion.

Ouk Samnang, director of the provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Prey Veng, which borders Vietnam’s Dong Thap and Long An provinces, affirmed that the harvests of Prey Veng’s farmers were growing.

This, coupled with coordination by the provincial authorities, even during the worst of Covid-19, has propelled the volume of Prey Veng’s agricultural exports to Vietnam, he told The Post.

Although Samnang could not provide concrete provincial export data, he did say prices this year were by and large similar to 2021 levels.

“Agricultural exports from Cambodia to Vietnam have shown positive signs across almost all commodities, especially paddy rice. This growth will be even greater as agricultural cultivation is on the rise,” he said.

Samnang pointed out that there are two major international border checkpoints in the province used to export agricultural goods: the Banteay Chakrei gate in Preah Sdach district and the Koh Roka gate to the west in Peam Chor district.

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Author: Hin Pisei

Source: The Phnom Penh post

Publication date: 31 May 2022