Whopping 95% decline in Cambodia sugar exports to EU
Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 6:02 am
What seems a good result due to the EU finding widespread abuse of poor Cambodian farmers losing their land to well-connected individuals for sugar plantatnions. Unfortunately, I'm sure China is buying up all the sugar previoulsy destined for Europe, so no real penalty beind paid by the culprits.
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/k ... eu-plummetKingdom's sugar exports to EU plummet
Tue, 15 March 2016
Will Jackson
New figures show that Cambodia’s sugar exports to the European Union fell by 94.8 per cent between 2013 and 2015, amid accusations of rights abuses and land grabbing in the Kingdom’s industry.
Cambodian sugar receives preferential treatment under the Everything But Arms trade scheme for least developed countries, and in 2013, exports peaked at 65,500 tonnes, worth some €38 million (currently $42.2 million).
But following publicity surrounding land grabs and allegations of child labour in Koh Kong, Kampong Speu and Preah Vihear provinces, exports declined to 38,000 tonnes, worth €15.6 million, in 2014.
Now, new figures provided by the Delegation of the EU to Cambodia show that last year EU countries imported only 3,400 tonnes, worth just €1.8 million.
A “Clean Sugar” campaign launched by a coalition of rights NGOs in 2011 targeted Thai sugar companies operating in Cambodia such as MitrPhol and Khon Kaen Sugar Industry, Cambodian sugar baron Ly Yong Phat’s Phnom Penh Sugar and buyers including multi-national sugar firm Tate and Lyle and Coca-Cola.
Eang Vuthy, executive director of coalition member Equitable Cambodia, said the campaign was responsible for the drop in exports. “The sugar companies, both in Koh Kong and Kampong Speu, have complained about this, because they could no longer export their sugar to the EU,” Vuthy said.
A statement from the EU delegation to Cambodia said it was difficult to speculate on the reasons for the trade decrease while admitting the bad publicity was a possible factor.
“It is clear that the concerns on the risk of possible accusations of complicity with alleged land grabbing and human rights abuses related to sugar cane production in Cambodia is discouraging EU importers to source from Cambodia, and the private sector to further invest in this industry,” the statement reads.
more