Cambodia & Destination: Skuon, insect market

Various species of edible insects are on offer to locals and foreigners in Skuon, a town located around 70 kilometres north of the capital of Phnom Penh on National Highway 6. In general, those travelling by bus or private vehicle stop off in Skuon to buy various local foods and agricultural products, but insects in particular.

Skuon, the insect market in Cambodia

More than 1,900 species of edible insects are eaten throughout the world, but only a few are found in Skuon. Different species of crickets are very common, but lethocerans, silkworms, tarantulas, small frogs, grasshoppers and scorpions are more seasonal.

"A number of Cambodians recognise the taste of edible insects and always stop to buy some when they pass through Skuon, but others are still reluctant to do so," says Mey Phalla, an insect seller.

"Some people eat or taste them, while others buy vegetables and fruit in Skuon," she adds.

Mey Phalla also says that the edible insect market in Skuon is quite busy and attracts foreign tourists, mainly Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean, as well as some Western visitors.

Crickets, silkworms and grasshoppers are sold at 1,500 riel (US$0.35) per box, while other insects (lethocerans, tarantulas, etc.) can be sold at 1,500 riel each, she says.

The town of Skuon in Cambodia was infested with spiders in the 1970s, and starving inhabitants began to consume them in abundance during the Khmer Rouge regime due to famine. The practice has continued ever since. The town is even known as Spider Town or Spiderville.

The spiders (usually tarantulas) are breaded and fried in hot oil, then served with fresh local herbs on a bed of rice or noodles.

Insects are cheap and very rich in protein, amino acids and micronutrients. What's more, Cambodian women believe that eating spiders makes their hair thicker and healthier.

Food of the future?

According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), edible insects are the future of global food security. Edible insects contain high-quality proteins, vitamins and amino acids. They have a high conversion rate and emit less greenhouse gases and ammonia than conventional farming.

Ease of rearing

Insects can be reared on organic waste. Insects are a potential source of conventional production (mini-farming) of protein, both for direct consumption and indirectly (in recomposed foods with protein extracted from insects). By 2030, more than nine billion people will need to be fed.

In addition, problems such as soil and water pollution caused by intensive livestock production are leading to the degradation of forests, contributing to climate change and other destructive effects on the environment.

The experts believe that solutions must be found.

One of the many ways of ensuring food security would be through entomoculture. Insects are everywhere and they reproduce quickly, and they have strong growth, a high food conversion rate and a low ecological footprint throughout their life cycle. They are nutritious, rich in proteins, fats and minerals. They can be reared on waste. In addition, they can be eaten whole or ground into a powder or paste, and incorporated into other foods.