Local Mango Planters Can Still Depend On EU Market: Exporter

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Despite the failure to export to China and South Korea local planters can expect a boost in the exportation of fresh mangoes to the European Union (EU) provided they have quality products, said an exporter yesterday.

More Cambodian quality mangoes are needed to break into China’s and South Korea’s markets. KT/Chor Sokunthea

The demand for local mangoes in the EU is increasing and that will also increase the rate of shipment, said Mong Reththy, president of the Mong Reththy Group, which owns the subsidary firm Kingdom Fruits International (KFI).

He said his company has seen an increase in orders, but with the limited supply of quality mangoes, they cannot meet the demand.

“Year on year, orders of mangoes have increased. They [buyers] have asked us to ship more mangoes, but we don’t have enough products to meet their demands,” Mr Reththy said, stressing that the quality of mangoes planted and harvested in Cambodia is limited.

Mr Reththy said the exported mangoes must be planted according to the technical standards needed to meet the requirements of the EU markets.

In 2018, KFI exported 200 tons of fresh mangoes with exports to the EU taking a fair slice since the first shipment was made in November last year, which coincided with the beginning of the mango harvest season.

The company has expanded its mango markets to Russia, Mr Retthy said, although his company has failed to grab South Korean market.

Veng Sakhon, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, said last week that the government is working with the Chinese authorities to start mango export to China.

The talk focused on sanitary and phyto-sanitary requirements from Chinese importers, Mr Sakhon said.

Mr Reththy said the talks on phyto-sanitary issues with China were positive.

“But until now we have not exported even a kilo of mangoes to China, they block our exports to their country,” Mr Reththy said.

He said it would be a good thing if Cambodia could export mangoes to China as it would boost the local plantation of the product.

Oum Savoeun, president of the Keo Romeat Mango Association in Kampong Speu province, welcomed the move towards China, saying it will help in opening more markets for mango planters.

“Keo Romeat mangoes are always exported informally to neighboring countries,” Mr Savoeun said. “When we have new markets, farmers will plant quality mangoes.”

Reththy also called on farmers to follow the required processes of the buyers.

“The exporters have markets, but don’t have enough quality mangoes for export, and there are farmers who have mangoes, but they don’t have the market,” Mr Reththy lamented.

This article was originally published in the Khmer Times.