Spot the difference. Here we have two articles on the current state of Cambodian fish exports (for 3/4 of 2020).
This first article is taken from the Cambodian government information website AKP, and underneath is an article on the same topic from the VNA (Vietnam).
They contain the same basic information, but the message is not the same. If you don't read the second article, then the first article might lead you to believe that the Cambodian fishing industry is hunky dory despite economic global problems.

Cambodia Exports Over 1,700 Tonnes of Fisheries Products in First Nine Months
AKP Phnom Penh, October 14, 2020 --

A total of 1,730 tonnes of fisheries products have been exported in the first nine months of 2020, according to a report of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.

The sector generated up to 485 million Riel, approximately US$117,642, as revenue, it added.

Export of fresh fisheries products was amounted to 1,498 tonnes, while that of processed fisheries products was 232 tonnes, as of the third quarter if this year, the report pointed out.

Freshwater fisheries yield in the first nine months was recorded at 252,646 tonnes, while marine fisheries yield reached 88,330 tonnes.

Thailand and Vietnam are the main markets for Cambodia’s fisheries products.
- AKP

Cambodia’s fisheries export slump by over 84 pct
By VNA - October 14, 2020
Cambodia’s fisheries export slumped by over 84 percent during January-September, according to the Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

The country ships fisheries products mainly to Vietnam and Thailand.

In the past nine months, export of freshwater aquatic products fell by 78 percent to 1,498 tonnes from 7,000 tonnes last year, while shipments of processed seafood sank 94 percent year-on-year from 3,980 tonnes to 232 tonnes.

In full: https://en.vietnamplus.vn/cambodias-fis ... 188552.vnp

HAâáâäãåā HAâáâäãåā that's funny

You know as well as i do, News, that any Cambodia fish figures are as stinky as prahok that has been left out in the sun too long.
Great schools flow across the borders like spawning salmon up a remote wilderness Alaskan stream - uncounted and unchallenged except for the raids from marauding bears. The coast has been hammered by overfishing, bad management and environmental degradation.
The largest inland fishery in the world, on the the Tonle Sap, was starting a slow but steady decline from it's peak of near 500,000 tonnes p/a. - But declining at a slower rate than all other major inland fisheries.

The TLS was surprisingly well managed under the circumstances here. << On a macro level, but local corruption is rife.
HE made some very hard, good, decisions along the away. Including against the billion dollar fish-trader cartel.

However, both the coastal fishery, and especially the TLS from where Cambodia gets 60%+ of its protein, is about to collapse.

FishCounts: increasing the visibility of small-scale fisheries in Cambodia’s national planning
Published: May 2020
Artisanal and family fishing make a significant contribution to Cambodia’s economy and food security. Community fisheries are already empowered to manage local fisheries resources, but small-scale fisheries are often overlooked in policy making, partly due to a lack of reliable data.
Developing a fisheries satellite account through the System of Environmental and Economic Accounts — Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries would clarify the value such fishers bring to the economy, what investment and policy responses they need, and the sustainability of the country’s current fisheries activities.

This report explores the current state of Cambodia’s fisheries and the data that would be needed to develop such a set of accounts. It considers the country’s existing statistical information and monitoring efforts, and where the gaps, inconsistencies and overlaps lie.
It proposes a phased approach to build on what already exists to create greater visibility for the contribution of small-scale fisheries to the national economy and their role in developing sustainable fishing and aquaculture in the face of growing demands and climate change.
https://www.iied.org/16671iied

Long read to download: https://www.iied.org/sites/default/file ... 71IIED.pdf

The CAPFISH programme is assisting Cambodian companies to upgrade aquaculture standards to export levels.

Value Chain Investment Support to Enhance Cambodian SMEs’ Competitiveness and Market Access
AKP Phnom Penh, May 02, 2023 --

The Fisheries Administration (FiA) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), under the EU-funded CAPFISH programme, have recently handed over to the selected enterprises green and innovative technology, equipment, and materials needed for their more effective and efficient business operations and production, and improved compliance with food safety and environmental requirements.

According to a joint press release issued late last week, solar dryer domes and solar panels are examples of green technologies promoted under Value Chain Investment Support (VCIS), while the equipment and materials include water treatment machines, packing machines, hot air dryer machines, rapid freezers, cold storage facilities, and so on. This handover was also to recognise the enterprises that have completely upgraded their facilities and met the national food safety requirements.


The ceremony was also to award the selected enterprises with VCIS technical assistance on food safety compliance, business and market development, market linkages, and social and environmental management plan. They are ready to implement their business plan, which was approved by the VCIS multi-stakeholder investment committee.

The Equipment Handover and Awards Ceremony is part of the VCIS scheme launched in August 2021. As of now, twenty-eight enterprises in Cambodia’s post-harvest fisheries were selected for technical and investment support.

As one of the critical interventions under the CAPFISH-Capture project, co-funded by the European Union (EU), VCIS is a co-investment scheme that incentivises enterprises in Cambodia’s post-harvest fisheries to upgrade their business operations and implement food safety and social and environmental standards. At least 200 fisheries processing enterprises are targeted for the support to improve competitiveness and market access. VCIS will continue to support more qualified enterprises based on their interest and co-investment commitment.

Cambodia’s fisheries value chain is mainly represented by micro and small informal enterprises, which are fragmented and constrained by a lack of access to finance, technologies, markets, and tailored business development technical support. They produce a variety of agri-food and fish and fishery products with inadequate hygienic and food safety practices, hence struggling to compete with both imported products and in global markets.

However, Mr. Gunther Beger, Managing Director of UNIDO’s Directorate for SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation, sees it as an opportunity for the Kingdom. He commented that “through the flagship of the EU-funded CAPFISH programme, this issue gives us a big opportunity to promote green industrialisation and build sustainable value chains for poverty reduction and job creation to make the agri-food sector the engine for growth and prosperity in the country.”

Speaking at the ceremony, H.E. Ms. Carmen Moreno, Ambassador of the European Union to Cambodia, highlighted the importance of “contributing together to the development of a greener, more competitive and connected economy, and to promoting Cambodian Small- and Medium Enterprises’ integration into ASEAN and global markets. To achieve this goal, compliance with food safety standards, such as certification systems, is essential” and “needed to access any market, and get ready for the most valuable markets, such as the European Union”.

H.E. Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), emphasised the importance of the fisheries sector in Cambodia and appreciated the CAPFISH programme as a strong support from the European Union to the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC). He commented that “CAPFISH supports are in line with the RGC policy to promote food safety and access to the international markets and improve the fishery value chain which mainly focuses on upgrading post-harvest fisheries operations and controlling the quality and safety of the fish and fishery products. The event demonstrates the strong partnership between the public, private sector, and development partners working together to make Cambodia’s fish and fishery products more competitive to reach international markets.”

We believe that the success of the VCIS intervention can be replicated for other agricultural commodities rather than just fish and fishery products. “It is in line with the European Union’s commitment to supporting a green economy in Cambodia by focusing on food, agriculture, and forests sector, including the agro-processing industry,” added H.E. Ms. Carmen Moreno.

By C. Nika
AKP

Cambodia's wild aquatic products get approval for access to China
Source: Xinhua
2023-05-31 18:09:30

PHNOM PENH, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's wild aquatic products have been granted formal approval to be exported to China, said a press statement from the Chinese Embassy to Cambodia on Wednesday.

The statement said the General Administration of Customs of China has recently updated its Registration Information of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food, showing that Cambodian wild aquatic products had completed the final procedures of exporting to China.

The completion means that Cambodian wild aquatic products can now be exported to China, it added.

Cambodian company Kim Chou Co., Ltd Import Export and International Transportation has been authorized to export wild aquatic products to China, the statement said.

It added that the company is allowed to export 12 kinds of Cambodian wild aquatic products to China, including wild shrimp, wild fish, wild eel, and wild river snails.

In November 2022, China and Cambodia signed a protocol on inspection, quarantine, and veterinary sanitary requirements for exporting wild aquatic products from Cambodia to China.

Im Rachna, the undersecretary of state and spokeswoman for Cambodia's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said it was good news, expressing her confidence that Cambodian wild aquatic products would also be popular among Chinese consumers.

"It is a new success for the development of our fisheries sector, and the upcoming export of our wild aquatic products to China will not only give a boost to Cambodia-China trade volume, but also contribute to improving the livelihoods of our farmers," she told Xinhua.

After pepper, wild aquatic products are Cambodia's second agricultural products authorized to be exported to China this year. ■

CEOCambodiaNews wrote: ↑Thu Jun 01, 2023 12:29 am Cambodia's wild aquatic products get approval for access to China
Source: Xinhua
2023-05-31 18:09:30

PHNOM PENH, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's wild aquatic products have been granted formal approval to be exported to China, said a press statement from the Chinese Embassy to Cambodia on Wednesday.

The statement said the General Administration of Customs of China has recently updated its Registration Information of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food, showing that Cambodian wild aquatic products had completed the final procedures of exporting to China.

The completion means that Cambodian wild aquatic products can now be exported to China, it added.

Cambodian company Kim Chou Co., Ltd Import Export and International Transportation has been authorized to export wild aquatic products to China, the statement said.

It added that the company is allowed to export 12 kinds of Cambodian wild aquatic products to China, including wild shrimp, wild fish, wild eel, and wild river snails.

In November 2022, China and Cambodia signed a protocol on inspection, quarantine, and veterinary sanitary requirements for exporting wild aquatic products from Cambodia to China.

Im Rachna, the undersecretary of state and spokeswoman for Cambodia's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said it was good news, expressing her confidence that Cambodian wild aquatic products would also be popular among Chinese consumers.

"It is a new success for the development of our fisheries sector, and the upcoming export of our wild aquatic products to China will not only give a boost to Cambodia-China trade volume, but also contribute to improving the livelihoods of our farmers," she told Xinhua.

After pepper, wild aquatic products are Cambodia's second agricultural products authorized to be exported to China this year. ■

Say goodbye to those wild aquatic Mekong dolphins and giant catfish.

Solar fish-drying tech has the potential to transform Cambodia’s fisheries
15 June 2023 Seetharama Shetty Thombathu and Im Samruo


All around Cambodia, a familiar scene takes place every day: families feast on fish caught in the Mekong River or other rivers and lakes. Millions of Cambodians enjoy tilapia, snapper, snakehead, carp, and catfish. At countless tables around the country is served amok trei – coconut fish steamed in banana leaves.

Oftentimes, the fish in this and other dishes have been dried for preservation. Fish processors and fishmongers dry it to sell, and people at home dry their fish to keep for future meals. Local fish processors typically dry their fish under the sun, or by burning firewood or coal. Every Cambodian knows the sight and smell of fish being dried in the traditional way.

This being such a long-held tradition, it would seem strange – and hard – to change it now. So, why bother?

As it turns out, traditional drying methods are inefficient, unhygienic, and unsustainable. It takes a long time to dry fish in the open air; the fish may get infected with bacteria, they dry unevenly and their flavour is diminished, and they are exposed to dirt, insects, and animal droppings. In addition, drying methods that use firewood, coal, or fossil fuels can harm individual people through smoke and respiratory ailments, and they contribute to climate change and habitat loss.

For these reasons, more and more people and local fish processors are switching to a modern method of drying fish, using what’s called a “solar dryer dome.” The dome is a lightweight structure with a steel frame that is built on a concrete floor and covered in translucent white polycarbonate material. Inside the dome, the fish is laid out on adjustable trays. The dome’s translucent material lets in sun’s rays, which help dry the fish – and it protects the fish from dirt and bugs. A solar-powered ventilator keeps the dome at the optimum temperature for drying.

Drying fish in a dome is faster and safer than traditional methods. Most important for many watering mouths, the flavour of the fish is consistently better preserved, too.

The switch to the domes is a small revolution in the widespread practice of drying fish, and it’s being helped along by Cambodia’s Fisheries Administration (FiA) with support from the European Union (EU) and the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Together, these partners have provided technical and investment support to ten fish processing enterprises to adopt this technology and learn to use it. More enterprises are in line for similar support.

Full article: https://www.unido.org/stories/solar-fis ... -fisheries
Dr. Seetharama Shetty THOMBATHU is a UNIDO-Chief Technical Adviser, CAPFISH-Capture project (co-funded by the EU).
Samruol IM is a UNIDO-National Communication and Visibility Expert, CAPFISH-Capture project (co-funded by the EU).

Cambodia's Pangasius Catfish Value Chain Getting a Boost
AKP Phnom Penh, July 28, 2023 --

(Photo: Australian Embassy)
The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research is supporting a new research project to reduce food loss and waste in the pangasius catfish value chain in Cambodia, said the Australian Embassy in Phnom Penh in a news release on Friday.

Knowledge generated by the research will benefit pangasius catfish farmers, private enterprises, and the country’s future fish export to foreign markets, it added.

The research team from the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) and Health and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (HAPRI) recently visited Cambodia to gather information about food loss and waste along the pangasius catfish value chain, said the source, pointing out that they spoke with farmers, fish traders, and authorities from the Tonle Sap River floating markets and the fish hatchery.

According to the news release, the project is part of the ACIAR-IDRC Food Loss Research Programme, which will work with partners in developing countries, including Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, to address food loss in the Mekong pangasius catfish value chain through innovative, locally driven solutions.
By C. Nika
AKP

Cambodia Quality Seal (CQS): Recognizing Cambodia’s Enterprises for Their Improved Food Safety Compliance
03 August 2023
Phnom Penh, 03 August 2023 – The Fisheries Administration (FiA), in partnership with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), announced the awarding of CQS certificates to fishery processing enterprises in Cambodia. These enterprises have successfully met the requirements of the CQS, an initiative developed as part of the CAPFISH-Capture: Post-harvest Development project.


Photo: ©UNIDO Cambodia

The CQS initiative, spearheaded by FiA and supported under the CAPFISH Capture, a project funded by European Union and implemented by UNIDO, is the first-ever food safety certification scheme in Cambodia's fisheries sector. It aims to enhance the safety and quality of fish and fishery products in post-harvest fisheries, fostering sustainable and inclusive growth within the industry.

The CQS certification applies to various actors within the fisheries value chain, including processing enterprises, fishing vessels, and collecting centers (landing sites) that adhere to the required standards. By prioritizing food safety, the CQS aims to bolster consumer confidence and promote Cambodia's national brand.

By aligning with the theme of World Food Safety Day 2023, Food Standards Save Lives, H.E. Sopha CHAN, Director General of the Institute of Standards of Cambodia (ISC), Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MISTI), emphasized that the CQS certification scheme is set to enhance the competitiveness of Cambodia’s fish and fishery products, facilitating international trade and safeguarding public health.

The initial round of CQS certifications was awarded to eight post-harvest fishery enterprises that have demonstrated compliance with the rigorous requirements of the scheme.
These enterprises are Leang Leng Enterprise, Ny Ieng Neng Enterprise, Samnang Sothea Enterprise, Home Taste Food, Phnom Pich Bunkhea Fish Sauce Enterprise, Thoeurn Sreyny Enterprise, Vong Dara Processing Enterprise, and Heng Hort (Sok Khim) Processing Enterprise.
Full report: https://cambodia.un.org/en/240742-cambo ... ood-safety

Four More Fishery Products Allowed for Direct Export to China
AKP Phnom Penh, August 09, 2023 --
Cambodia's four more fishery products including slipper lobster, eel, "elephant fish", and snail have been authorised for direct export to China, according to Chinese Embassy in Cambodia.

The General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) has recently updated the list of countries or regions and the types of fishery products allowed to be exported to China, said the source, adding that Cambodian Tienit International Trading has passed the examination stage and completed the registration and report submission.

Cambodian Tienit International Trading is the first company that completed its registration and report submission after Cambodia and China signed a protocol on phytosanitary requirements for fishery exports to China, pointed out the source.

Cambodia’s agricultural products that can be directly shipped to China include rice, bananas, mangoes, longan, sweet corn, pepper, different kinds of fishery products and so on.
AKP
Article in Khmer by Rithy
Article in English by Lim Nary