Chinese Company Chen’s Sun Invests in Cambodian Durians

According to a recent announcement by the Cambodian People’s Party, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet held a meeting on Nov. 6 with Chen Xuemei, chairwoman and founder of China’s Zhengzhou Chen’s Sun Group. The meeting took place during the prime minister’s visit to Kunming, the capital of China’s Yunnan province, where he attended a series of summits.

Chen expressed her interest in further investing in Cambodia’s agricultural sector, specifically the cultivation and processing of durians for export to China. The prime minister welcomed the idea, highlighting Cambodia’s strong potential in the production and export of diverse agricultural products, which can provide competitive offerings on the international market.

On the same day, the prime minister also met with Sun Zhongdi, chairman of China’s Zhongjiao Tongli Company, to discuss expanding investments in Cambodia’s northeastern provinces of Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri. These discussions centered on banana cultivation, establishing an agricultural processing industrial park and advancing related trade initiatives.

Although Cambodian durian exports to China are still under negotiation, several Chinese agricultural enterprises and importers have already begun planning their durian business in the country. In the northwestern province of Battambang, Chen’s Sun has partnered with local companies to establish a durian plantation spanning over 165 hectares. The project is reportedly progressing smoothly, with the construction of supporting infrastructure, such as an agricultural industrial park, being expedited.

Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Zhengzhou, Henan province, Chen’s Sun Group specializes in both domestic and imported fruits. The company imports over 100 types of fruits and has developed brands such as Chen’s Sun, Sanzhimei and Guodajie. It has also formed long-term strategic partnerships with more than 500 large supermarkets across China, including Yonghui Superstores and PDL Commerce and Trade Group Co. Ltd., serving over 6,000 retail fruit stores.

Durians are a key product for Chen’s Sun, and the company imports over 10 varieties of the fruit throughout the year from Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia. In August 2024, Chen’s Sun, as the sole fruit importer from Henan province, took part in the inaugural air shipments of fresh Malaysian durians to China. Of the initial batch of 15 metric tons that arrived at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, 3 metric tons were ordered by the company.

Image: iStock

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