October 2, 2020

 

Cambodia to export beef to China

 

 

Cambodia's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) confirmed Cambodia is preparing to export beef to the Chinese market, taking advantage of the US-China trade war and trade tension with Australia.

 

At a contract farming ceremony involving 58 farming communities and exporters, MAFF Minister Veng Sakhon said that the Cambodian government is diversifying agricultural products and exports, and beef is one of the potential foods to the Chinese market.

 

"In the near future, we will access more markets, especially for agricultural products that we are able to produce for export," he said. "We are preparing to export beef, which is a new product for us because we see the face-off problem between China and Australia."

 

Sakhon said that although Laos is one step ahead, this is an opportunity for Cambodia to produce meats for export to China.

 

"As I know, they have already signed a protocol in order to export beef to China. Chinese experts have already arrived in Laos while Cambodia is preparing to submit to the Chinese side," he said.

 

Cambodia would take time for procedures including infrastructure and facilities that support meat production for export. Sakhon said: "Cambodia needs also to fulfil conditions requested by China. First, we wrote an official letter to the Chinese side stating that Cambodia is able to export beef to the Chinese market. After our letter of notification, the Chinese side will come to study our efforts and set some conditions for us. When those requirements are met, then we will be able to send the beef."

 

Sakhon said that, with Cambodia and China expected to sign a free-trade agreement soon, China -- which has the biggest population in the world -- would be a huge market for Cambodia's agricultural products.

 

"We have to think of the long term. The Chinese market is one of the largest markets for agricultural products and China is importing agricultural products from countries such as Brazil and Argentina as well as from the US from where imports take more time and cost more so China wants to import those from countries in the region that are convenient and cheaper for shipping," he said.

 

Sakhon added that Cambodia will import cows from Australia for farmers to raise.

 

Cambodia exports most live cattle to Vietnam and Thailand. In 2017, record shows Cambodia exported 20,000 live cattle to Vietnam every month.

 

"Much of the country's agriculture sector now uses machinery but the Cambodian government is encouraging farmers to take on cattle farming for commercial reasons to meet local demand and exports," Sakhon said.

In order to ensure good production supply and market prices, MAFF is urging more contract farming between farmers and exporters. There are 760 farming contracts signed and it is expected that the number will reach 1,000 at the end of this year.

 

Cambodia-Australia Agricultural Value Chain Programme team leader Gray Ellem said that the contract farming is playing important role in boosting competition in the markets and it supports the supply chain that helps quality agricultural production.

 

- Khmer Times