PHNOM PENH: Cambodia exported some 651,000 tonnes of milled rice to international markets last year, a slight decrease of 0.7 percent from 656,000 tonnes in 2023, according to a report from the Cambodia Rice Federation.
However, the Kingdom earned US$491 million from rice export in 2024, up 5.3 percent from US$466 million recorded the previous year.
The Cambodian milled rice was shipped to 68 destinations around the world. Europe was the major market for Cambodia’s milled rice last year, importing 327,156 tonnes worth US$253 million, followed by ASEAN markets 127,076 tonnes worth US$92 million, and China 117,925 tonnes worth US$75 million.
Some 79,365 tonnes others were exported to other destinations, earning a total of US$69 million. The exported rice varieties included fragrant rice, organic rice, white rice, parboiled rice and japonica rice. Additionally, the Kingdom also generated US$1,496 million from the export of 5.1 million tonnes of paddy rice last year.
The Royal Government of Cambodia has supported the rice sector through initiatives to improve infrastructure and technical assistance to farmers and the branding of Cambodian rice.
Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet has recently spoken highly of the Cambodia Rice Federation for its collaboration with the Royal Government in developing the rice sector. He highlighted the critical role of agriculture in promoting the people’s livelihoods and driving Cambodia’s socio-economic development.
“The Royal Government of Cambodia is committed to prioritising rice as a long-term strategic crop for Cambodia,” Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet said.
The Premier underscored the importance of implementing necessary policies to support rice cultivation and ensure the competitiveness of Cambodia’s rice sector, including building infrastructure to streamline transport and reduce production costs, promoting domestic supply chain ownership, and expanding exports to international markets.
He also encouraged the Cambodia Rice Federation to further strengthen its collaboration with relevant governmental ministries and institutions to boost direct exports to international markets with higher added value.
Last year, Malys Angkor (Phka Romdoul), the trusted name for Cambodian premium aromatic rice, won the World’s Best Rice Award in the World Rice Conference in Manila, the Philippines. Since her participation in the World Rice Conference, Cambodia won the prestigious title multiple times, in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, and 2022. AKP