Agriculture & Forum: Australia continues to support Cambodia's rice sector

The 7th Cambodia Rice Forum, organized by the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF), was held yesterday in Phnom Penh under the theme “Transforming Cambodia's rice supply chain to become resilient, inclusive and sustainable”.

Cambodian rice has gained international renown, winning the prestigious World's Best Rice Award for Phka Rumduol five times - in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018 and 2022 - and the Golden Award for China's fragrant rice variety in 2023

The forum was attended by some 400 participants, including government representatives, foreign dignitaries, exporters and CFR members. The opening ceremony was presided over by H.E. Cham Nimol, Minister of Commerce, H.E. Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, H.E. Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, and H.E. Derek Yip, Australian Ambassador to Cambodia. The closing ceremony was presided over by Prime Minister Samdech Hun Manet.

Oknha Song Saran, Chairman of the FIU Board of Directors, said:

“One of the main objectives of the 7th Cambodia Rice Forum is to strengthen and develop Cambodia's rice supply chain in response to the changing environmental landscape and global trends in environmental improvement, social responsibility and good governance. These are requirements for international rice exports, implemented for the European Union market from 2026.”

“The government is promoting Cambodia's rice sector, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries focusing on rice variety development and cultivation techniques, the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation on standard quality and rice milling, and the Ministry of Commerce on market diversification and international openness. These activities are carried out in collaboration with ministries, institutions, development partners and UN agencies. This has enabled Cambodia to expand its export market targets from 35 in 2010 to 121 in 2023,” he added.

Australian Ambassador Derek Yip pointed out that “Australia has been working with Cambodia to support growth in the agricultural sector since the 1960s. We are very pleased to see significant progress in Cambodia's rice sector, with rice and paddy exports worth around $1.8 billion in 2023”.

“Australia is thrilled to continue its support, including through the Cambodia-Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED), to help Cambodian rice exporters find a global market for their luxury products and promote sustainable agricultural production and processing,” he added.

The Cambodia Rice Forum took place at the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra. Australia is the main sponsor of the CAPRED program. Other sponsors were Khmer Enterprise, Agriculture and Rural Development Bank and USAID-Feed the Future Cambodia Harvest III.