China Market Access Imminent for Cambodian Longans

According to a report in the Phnom Penh Post, Cambodia is expected to begin exporting fresh Pailin longans to China in September of this year.

Ke Monthivuth, a senior official from Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, confirmed that Cambodia has forwarded its final list of 64 orchards and seven packaging plants to Chinese authorities and is now awaiting authorization from the General Administration of Customs. Once this initial phase is approved, other companies wishing to export longans to China will be allowed to apply.

At the same time, Cambodian exports to China are still facing many uncertainties. Monthivuth, who heads the ministry’s Department of Plant Protection and Phytosanitary Office, indicated that only 30% of longan growers and orchard owners in Pailin province are currently registered and have Good Agricultural Practices certification. Furthermore, with production quotas on the Cambodian side and order volume in the Chinese market uncertain, it remains impossible to predict the exact export volume. China’s epidemic prevention policies and import restrictions, coupled with a threefold increase in reefer rental fees due to the ongoing shortage, will also affect longan exports to China.

Cambodian longans are usually exported to Thailand and mixed with Thai longans before being repackaged for export to China. Grown primarily in the provinces of Pailin and Battambang, Pailin longans are Cambodia’s most famous variety. The production season runs from August until the end of December, with the harvest peaking in November. The cultivation area currently stands at 13,608 hectares, spread across the provinces of Banteay Meanchey, Battambang and Pailin. At present, approximately 8,000 hectares are harvestable, with an average yield of 15 to 20 tons per hectare and an annual output in excess of 100,000 tons.

As previously reported, Cambodian longans were expected to be given the green light before the end of the year, becoming the third Cambodian fruit officially permitted for export to China after bananas and mangos. In addition to longans, the ministry is also making preparations to export other agricultural products to China, including black pepper, edible bird’s nests, durians, aromatic coconuts, dragon fruit and red corn.

Image: Pixabay

This article was translated from Chinese. Read the original article.