A Chinese company based in Pailin province is currently exporting over 100 tonnes of Pailin longan daily to China in preparation for the Lunar New Year holiday, also known as the Spring Festival, as confirmed by an agriculture official.
Im Rachna, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, highlighted that China Jinkwoayuan Import Export (Cambodia) is leading the charge, having initiated longan exports to China in October 2022. This company stands as the first in Cambodia to integrate modern technology systems for longan processing, enabling automated sorting by type and size, as well as facilitating automatic packaging.
"With the New Year approaching, the demand for Pailin longan in China significantly rises. Traditionally, the export volume of Pailin longan is lower," Rachna remarked.
The Spring Festival, slated for February 10 this year, is a prime time for such exports.
Say Sophat, director of the Pailin provincial agriculture department, highlighted the commencement of longan exports to China following the fulfillment of the Cambodia-China Longan Phytosanitary Protocol for fresh longan on October 31, 2022. He noted that in December 2023, farmers fetched favorable prices for longans, ranging from 3,000 to 3,600 riel ($0.735 to $0.882) per kilogram.
Sophat explained that despite a 40% decrease in export prices to China in 2023 compared to 2022 due to inflationary pressures and tightened spending in China, the impending Lunar New Year prompted the Chinese firm to place more orders for longan than usual. The steady purchase rate from farmers was maintained at 3,600 riel ($0.882) per kg.
The Cambodia-China Longan Phytosanitary Protocol, signed by the agriculture ministry and China’s General Administration of Customs on March 16, 2022, has paved the way for increased longan exports. In 2023, Cambodia exported longans worth $24.76 million, with China importing 17,380 tonnes valued at $24.594 million and Vietnam importing 116.7 tonnes valued at $165,116.
Pailin longan, named after the Kingdom's second-smallest province, is a highly esteemed variety among longan cultivars, known for its exceptional quality.
Source: www.thestar.com.my