Cassava exports rise on ASEAN demand
DEMAND
from Thailand and Vietnam helped to drive up the Kingdom’s cassava
exports 88 percent in the first three months of 2011, compared to the
same period last year, according to Camcontrol, a division of the
Commerce Ministry. Cassava exports exports between January and March
totaled 204,618 up 87.7 percent from 108,987 tonnes in 2010. Higher
prices also helped to boost export revenues for Cambodia. Revenues for
the period equaled US$9.9 million, or about a 143 percent increase from
last year’s $4.1 million.
Khuon Savuth, director of Camcontrol,
tied the rise to demand from the Kingdom’s larger neighbors and said
the increasing prices are pushing more and more farmers to plant
cassava. “The high price of cassava not only improves the living
standard of people but also up-holds the national economy".
Chhorn Saroem Company, which exports agricultural products to Thailand,
said the increased farming boosted her cassava shipments in the first
three months of the year 50 percent higher than the same period last
year. “This year the farmers throughout Paillin province flock to
cultivate more cassava than other crops because of high price,” she
said.
She added that a tonne fetched 37,000 riels this year compared to 11,000 riel last year.
Khiev Sophet of Paillin, who typically
grows corn, said he emphasized cassava this season because of its
higher price. He said, even with the increased farming of the crop , “I
believe the price should hold for next year.” According to data from
Camcontrol, Cambodia’s cassava exports in 2010 totaled just 165,229
tonnes worth $12 million.
