Phnom Penh , Jan. 10 – Cambodia had exported 626,225 tons of rice in 2018, a decrease of 1.5 per cent compared to 635,679 tons in 2017, according to a report issued by Secretariat of One Window Service for Rice Export Formality (SOWS-REF) dated 2 January 2018.

Cambodia exported 493,597 tons of fragrant rice, equivalent to 78.8%; 105,990 tons of white long grain rice, equivalent to 17 per cent, and 26,638 tons of steamed long grain rice, an equivalent to 4.2 per cent.

The largest market for Cambodian rice is the European Union market, accounting for 270,000 tons, an equivalent to 43 per cent of Cambodia’s rice export.

China, the biggest Cambodian rice importer, imported more than 170,000 tons, accounting for 27 per cent, followed by France nearly 90,000 tons, Malaysia 40,000 tons, Gabon 30,000 tons, the Netherlands more than 26,000 tons, Vietnam 26,000 tons, Thailand and Poland more than 23,000 tons, Belgium and UK nearly 20,000 tons.

Cambodian rice sector is awaiting the final decision of the EU whether the international community imposes tariffs on Cambodian rice, following the unjustified claims made by Italy and Spain, saying Cambodian rice to Europe affects their country’s farmers.