Banana exports drop amid pandemic

Workers packing yellow bananas for export at the Longmate Agriculture Co Ltd farm in Kampot province. Ministry of Commerce

Cambodia’s exports of yellow bananas experienced a slight decline during the first half of this year compared with the corresponding period last year due to the coronavirus pandemic which is affecting global supply and demand.

A Ministry of Commerce report said yesterday Cambodia exported 14,204,000 tonnes of fresh yellow bananas, worth around $68,562,793, during the first half of 2020.

In the first half of last year, Cambodia exported 15,540,000 tonnes, worth $59,336,854.

Speaking during a recent visit to Longmate Agriculture Co Ltd’s yellow banana farm in Kampot province, Commerce Minister Pan Sorasak expressed his appreciation to all Cambodian farmers for continuously doing their best to support demand for agricultural produce in the local and international markets and assisting national economic growth despite the threat of the COVID-19.

He also advised the farmers and commodity exporters to adhere to regulations, including maintaining hygiene and not using chemicals that harm the health of consumers, to preserve the quality of their products, and the long-term growth of the country’s export volume.

Sorasak also said that maintaining the high quality of the products will ensure the sustainability of the Cambodian market and also expand job opportunities for the people.

Longmate Agriculture Co Ltd is a joint venture investment between Cambodia and China that grows yellow bananas on 4,000 hectares in the province’s Chhuk district. Khmer Times