Cambodia Secures Green Light for Fresh Jackfruit Exports to China

Cambodia’s agriculture sector has welcomed China’s decision to allow the import of fresh jackfruit from the Kingdom. Permission was granted on July 15, via the signing of two new agreements between senior officials from both nations. Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Dith Tina and China’s Minister of the General Administration of Customs Sun Meijun signed the agreements in Beijing, China, where Tina is accompanying Prime Minister Hun Manet on a state visit. The two sides inked a Protocol on Phytosanitary Requirements for the Export of Fresh Jackfruit from Cambodia to China, and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in Plant and Animal Quarantine and the Import and Export of Safe Food Products. The agriculture ministry described the agreements as significant achievements, reflecting the Cambodian government’s active efforts to negotiate access to international markets and strengthen confidence in the quality of the Kingdom’s agricultural products. Phot Saphanborey, chairman of the Board of Pechenda Fruit Production, a company that purchases and packs Pailin longan and other agricultural goods for domestic and international markets, told The Post on July 17 that he was optimistic to see more Cambodian fruit and agricultural products entering international markets, particularly China, one of the world’s largest. He noted that jackfruit is one of Cambodia’s most promising agricultural products with strong export potential because it has a relatively long shelf life. In recent years, jackfruit cultivation has expanded across Cambodia, although production remains well below that of Pailin longan or durian. “Although the area under jackfruit cultivation is still much smaller than that of Pailin longan, many companies are beginning to expand their plantations,” he said. Cambodia is authorized to export several fresh fruits to China, including mangoes, bananas, Pailin longan and durian. The government is seeking official market access for several other types of fruit. Saphanborey warned that exporters will continue to face several obstacles, as Cambodia lacks modern facilities for fruit disinfection and treatment, as well as adequate storage infrastructure. “Even though China has granted market access, Cambodia still has a great deal of work to do, particularly in export procedures and meeting product quality requirements,” he said. According to him, several Chinese buyers have already contacted his company regarding the export of fresh jackfruit.