Cambodian Rice Wins World’s Best Rice Award for Fifth Time
AKP Phnom Penh, November 17, 2022 --

Cambodian premium fragrant rice branded as “Pkar Rumduol” today was crowned the World’s Best Rice at The Rice Trade (TRT) World Rice Conference 2022 held in Phuket, Thailand.

This if the fifth time that Cambodian rice earned this award since its participation in the annual World Best Rice contest. The previous four were in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2018.

Cambodian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries H.E. Dith Tina expressed his congratulations to the victory, which he said brought about pride for to (sic) the nation.
By C. Nika

Southeast Asia Paddy Industry Report 2023: Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia are the Main Exporters with Brunei and Singapore Relying on Imports
Mon, December 26, 2022 at 4:23 PM GMT+7·8 min read
Dublin, Dec. 26, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Research Report on Southeast Asia Paddy Industry 2023-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

By production, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar and the Philippines are the major paddy producers in Southeast Asia, and in 2020, Indonesia ranked first in Southeast Asian countries with 55.535 million tons of paddy production. Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia are the main paddy exporters in Southeast Asia, while Brunei, Singapore and other countries basically rely on paddy imports, and countries such as the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia also need to import a large amount of paddy to meet domestic demand every year.

Southeast Asia in this report includes 10 countries: Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Brunei, Laos and Cambodia. With a total population of over 600 million by the end of 2021, Southeast Asia has an overall economic growth rate higher than the global average and is one of the key drivers of future global economic growth.

According to the publisher's analysis, the economic levels of the 10 Southeast Asian countries vary greatly, with Singapore being the only developed country with a per capita GDP of about US$73,000 in 2021. While Myanmar and Cambodia will have a GDP per capita of less than US$2,000 in 2021.

The population and minimum wage levels also vary greatly from country to country, with Brunei, which has the smallest population, having a total population of less than 500,000 people in 2021, and Indonesia, which has the largest population, having a population of about 275 million people in 2021. The most economically advanced countries in Southeast Asia do not have a legal minimum wage, with the actual minimum wage exceeding US$400 per month (for foreign maids), while the lowest minimum wage level in Myanmar is only about US$93 per month.

Overall, the size of the paddy market in Southeast Asian countries has shown an upward trend in recent years, especially with the increase in population and economic development of each country, the demand for paddy will grow steadily.

According to the publisher, the Southeast Asian paddy industry is forecast to maintain growth from 2023-2032. On the one hand, Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar are the world's major paddy exporters, and the growth of global demand for food has boosted their paddy production and export scale.

On the other hand, the growth of population in Southeast Asia brings about the growth of paddy demand, and the economic development leads to the change of the type of paddy that people demand to high-quality paddy, which also promotes the development of the paddy industry in Southeast Asian countries.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/southeas ... 00339.html

Infographic: Cambodia Exports US$418 Million Worth of Milled Rice in 2022
AKP Phnom Penh, January 09, 2023 --

For the full year of 2022, Cambodia exported some 637,000 tonnes of milled rice to international markets, generating US$414.29 million, according to a report of Cambodia Rice Federation.

Siem Reap to Host Rice Festival Late This Month
AKP Phnom Penh, January 17, 2023 --
Siem Reap province will host the Rice Festival from Jan. 27 to 29 at Preah Reach Damnak Garden along its riverside.

The event aimed at disseminating the potential of rice sector, which is considered as “White Gold” of Cambodia.

It also intends to encourage internal tourist movement as part of the “Visiting Our Country”, “Clean Cambodia”, “Clean City, Clean Resort, Good Service and Best Hospitality" campaigns.

According to Mr. Philip Kao, President of Siem Reap Tourism Club Association, the Rice Festival will feature exhibition of rice processed into range of products and development of blue and gold rice paddy nursery, and Miss Planet International was also invited for the event.

Cambodia's rice branded as “Angkor Jasmine” has won the World's Best Rice for four times in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2018, while “Phkar Romdul” got the title in 2022.

The event was initiated by Siem Reap Tourism Club Association and Cambodia Rice Federation in collaboration mainly with the Ministries of Tourism; Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Commerce; and Culture and Fine Arts; Siem Reap Provincial Administration, Siem Reap Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC).
- AKP

Amru Rice Wins Global Standard for Food Safety
AKP Phnom Penh, January 24, 2023 --
Amru Rice, this morning announced to receive the official certificate “Grade A” from the British Retail Consortium Global Standard (BRCGS) on the successful assessment and certified as meeting the requirements of “Global Standard for Food Safety” validity till the end of 2023.

The certification also states that Amru Rice rice products that have been evaluated and certified for food safety including long and medium-grain white rice, long and medium-grain brown rice, fragrant rice, and jasmine rice, said Amru Rice in its press release.

“This is such a satisfactory result of our all effort in thriving for maintaining and improving our quality and standard of food safety, resulting in our Grade A certification from this international rating agency,” it added.

BRCGS is a leading global brand and consumer protection scheme recognised by thousands of customers worldwide. BRCGS' Standards guarantee the standardisation of quality, safety, and operational criteria and ensure that manufacturers fulfill their obligations and provide protection for the end consumer.

By Phal Sophanith
- AKP

Cambodia eyes 1 million tonnes of rice exports by 2025
The Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) has set export targets for the nation at 750,000 tonnes of milled rice in 2023 and one million tonnes by 2025.
VNA Friday, February 10, 2023 20:51 https://link.gov.vn/a09aqcXN

Phnom Penh (VNA) - The Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) has set export targets for the nation at 750,000 tonnes of milled rice in 2023 and one million tonnes by 2025.

According to CRF President Chan Sokheang, the federation has also set a goal to facilitate profitable, sustainable, environment-friendly rice business.

The CRF will continue to collaborate with the Ministry of Commerce to access new markets, especially the Philippines, and increase the number of milled rice exports to China toward a target of 400,000 tonnes this year, Sokheang said.

Last year, Cambodia shipped 637,004 tonnes of rice to 59 countries and regions, up 3.2% from the 617,069 tonnes posted a year earlier and earning 414 million USD in revenue.

China remains Cambodia's top rice importer./.

PM HE Supports the Outcome of Two New Varieties of Rice
AKP Phnom Penh, March 24, 2023 --

Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HE expressed his full support to two new varieties of rice recently introduced to the farmers.
While presiding over the closing ceremony of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ annual meeting here this afternoon, Samdech Techo HE underlined the proud achievement that Cambodia can produce and grow our own varieties of rice.

The two new varieties of rice are Champei Sar 70 and Kang Rei. Champei Sar 70 is the research result of Dr. Ouk Makara, former director of CARDI while Kang Rei is that of Dr. Khun Leang Hak, said H.E. Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Champei Sar 70 is a premium rice variety that farmers could harvest in short periods between 93-97 days giving between 3.2 and 4.9 tonnes per hectare on average, whereas Kang Rei can be grown in a shorter period than Champei Sar 70, i.e. from 78 to 84 days with an average yield of 4.3 to 7.1 tonnes per hectare, he added.
By Heng Panha
AKP

Cambodia Officially Launches New Fragrant Rice Variety, Champei Sar 70
AKP Phnom Penh, April 05, 2023 --
Cambodia and Australia have announced the joint launch of a new fragrant rice variety, Champei Sar 70, after spending nine years researching and experimenting on 80 farmers' fields.

The official launching ceremony was held on April 5 at the Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) under the presidency of H.E. Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries and H.E. Justin Whyatt, Australian Ambassador to Cambodia.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Champei Sar 70 (CPS 70) is the result of nearly a decade of collaboration between CARDI and the Australian Government.

CPS 70 was developed from an award-winning Cambodian rice variety, Phka Rumduol with CNi9024. There were 80 on-farm trials in both dry and wet seasons, and three farmer participatory events with nearly 90 participants, a third of them are women, to evaluate promising lines.

CPS 70 is a fragrant rice that matures after three months. It is a non-seasonal crop that is resistant to floods and drought. Farmers can grow CPS 70 two to three times per year, increasing production and output. It will also significantly reduce the burden of working capital, paddy storage cost and post-harvest loss.

“This rice variety is very beneficial for both farmers and traders. It could help farmers cut down on their expenses and efforts to take care of their rice fields. Since it is non-seasonal, traders can buy the paddy all year round,” said Mr. Lor Bunna, Director of CARDI.

H.E. Dith Tina said that Champei Sar 70 was named by the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HE, to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Cambodia and Australia.

“This new variety will significantly contribute to the diversification of fragrant rice production and the export of fragrant rice to international markets, leading to the improvement of farmers' livelihoods,” he underlined.

“Australia is very proud to have supported MAFF and CARDI on the development of Champei Sar 70. I hope that farmers across Cambodia will grow CPS 70 to supply local and international markets, including Australia,” said H.E. Ambassador Whyatt.
Australia has been a long-standing supporter of Cambodia’s agriculture sector since the 1960s when it started sending agricultural experts to improve rice-based research.


Agriculture is one of the key pillars of the Cambodian economy, contributing nearly a quarter of the total GDP (2021). Agriculture employs over a third of Cambodia’s workers, with more than half of them being women.

Fragrant rice is in high demand globally and accounts for more than 60 percent of Cambodia’s total milled rice exports. The Cambodia Rice Federation is working towards exporting one million tonnes of milled rice by 2025.

Champei Sar 70 can give a yield of 4.3 tonnes per hectare on average. The 7.7 mm long and 2.06 mm wide grain with a strong aroma can be highly priced in the national and international markets.
By Chea Vannak
AKP (Photo: MAFF)