With the domestic durian harvest under way in Cambodia, local durian farmers and traders are sharing their concerns over how their products will get to market, especially with Phnom Penh and Takmao enduring restrictions.
Kong Lay, the owner of a durian plantation in Kampot, said the coinciding of the fruit’s harvest and lockdown of Phnom Penh and Takhmao are causing difficulties for both farmers and sellers.
Durian yields traditionally come to market starting in February and last until August, but most ripen between April and May. Should lockdown be extended, it will affect durian sales because the fruit’s biggest market is Phnom Penh.
“During lockdown, selling [in-person] at stores is impossible [and sales can only be processed] online or by phone”, Lay told The Khmer Times.
Transport of the fruit from Kampot to Phnom Penh is still proceeding, but it is not running smoothly because travelling restrictions have made the inter-provincial shipping process more difficult. Door-to-door delivery services in Phnom Penh also face obstacles, which is making his April work obligations difficult to accomplish.