Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Fresh mango is a strategic horticultural crop in Cambodia, with FAO reporting rapid expansion in cultivated area and output in the late 2010s. The Keo Romeat variety is widely cited as dominant, and major producing areas include Kampong Speu, Battambang, and Udor Meanchey. Cambodia supplies domestic markets and is an emerging regional exporter, with exports to Vietnam and Thailand and expanded access to China under a Cambodia–China mango phytosanitary protocol signed in June 2020. Export performance is sensitive to phytosanitary compliance (notably fruit fly risk), pesticide compliance management, and post-harvest/cold-chain constraints.
Market RoleMajor producer and exporter (regional trade; China market access under a signed phytosanitary protocol)
Domestic RoleImportant fruit crop for farmer incomes and domestic fresh consumption; growing value-chain focus under national diversification efforts
Market GrowthGrowing (recent history (2016–2025) and medium-term outlook)rapid acreage and output expansion reported in the late 2010s, alongside ongoing value-chain development
SeasonalityFAO describes a dual-season harvest. The main season is reported as February to June (with oversupply often in May–June), while off-season production outside the peak window can command higher prices but typically involves higher costs and lower yields.
Specification
Primary VarietyKeo Romeat
Secondary Variety- Keo Chen
- Prum Sen
- Kh'tis
- R2E2
- Keitt
- Kent
- Tommy Atkins
Physical Attributes- Export-oriented selection for the China market emphasizes appearance and ripeness; guidance references preference signals such as color and ripeness assessment by touch and aroma.
Packaging- For exports to China under the protocol, labels are specified to include: “Exported to the People’s Republic of China”, plus mango variety, origin (Cambodia), orchard (producer), packing plant, and heat-treatment enterprise information in English.
- Export guidance recommends protective packing (e.g., soft expandable polystyrene per fruit) and insect-protected ventilation openings where ventilated cartons are used.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Orchard harvest → aggregation/collection → packing plant (manual selection, washing, drying) → quarantine risk-mitigation treatment → DPPS/DPPSP inspection and phytosanitary certification → customs export clearance (ASYCUDA) → shipment to regional markets and China
Temperature- China-protocol export guidance specifies heat-treatment options such as vapour heat treatment (core temperature 47°C for 20 minutes at high humidity) or hot-water immersion (≥48°C for 60 minutes), with treatment records and temperature calibration documentation subject to audit.
Shelf Life- FAO reporting highlights limited cold storage and modern post-harvest systems as a bottleneck, increasing sensitivity to handling and transit conditions during peak-season flows.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Phytosanitary Access HighFor exports to China under the Cambodia–China mango phytosanitary protocol (signed June 2020), detection of quarantine pests of concern (including fruit-fly risk referenced in export guidance) makes the consignment ineligible for export to China, creating shipment-rejection and market-access disruption risk.Use registered orchards and packing plants, maintain pest-monitoring and chemical-use records, complete approved heat treatment with auditable temperature records, and run a pre-shipment compliance check (documents + label fields) before dispatch.
Logistics MediumFAO highlights rising transportation costs and limited cold storage/post-harvest systems; during the February–June main season, these constraints can elevate delivered-cost volatility and increase quality-loss risk for fresh mango exports.Contract reefer capacity and packing schedules ahead of peak months, and prioritize pre-cooling, rapid packing, and transit-time control for export-grade fruit.
Food Safety MediumFAO flags pesticide misuse as a risk that can undermine compliance with export standards; residue or chemical-use record gaps can trigger buyer rejection or intensified inspections.Implement GAP-aligned spray programs, keep complete input records, and align pre-harvest intervals and allowed substances with target-market requirements.
Market Structure MediumValue-chain analysis notes price variability and strong trader influence in cross-border marketing channels, which can compress farm-gate prices during main-season oversupply and create contract-performance risk for exporters relying on spot sourcing.Use contract farming or organized grower groups with agreed quality specs and delivery windows, and diversify buyer/market exposure across regional and protocol-access channels.
Sustainability- Pest and disease pressure (including fruit flies and mealybugs cited by FAO) can increase pesticide reliance; misuse of pesticides is flagged as a risk to meeting export compliance expectations.
Labor & Social- Off-season production practices (e.g., flower manipulation) may create worker and grower health risks if poorly managed, as noted in value-chain analysis of Keo Romeat mangoes.
Standards- GAP certification (including Cambodia Good Agricultural Practices / CamGAP) is referenced in Cambodia mango value-chain compliance discussions and in export-oriented orchard management guidance.
FAQ
When is Cambodia’s main fresh mango season?FAO describes a dual-season harvest. The main season is between February and June, with May–June often associated with oversupply, while off-season production outside the peak window can fetch higher prices but typically has higher costs and lower yields.
What documents are commonly needed to apply for a phytosanitary certificate in Cambodia for plant products like fresh mango?Cambodia’s National Trade Repository describes the DPPSP process and lists supporting documents such as an exporter registration document, a commercial invoice, and a packing list, alongside physical inspection of the consignment before a certificate is issued.
What is the most common reason a Cambodia-to-China fresh mango shipment could be stopped under the mango protocol guidance?Export guidance for Cambodia-to-China mango notes that if quarantine pests of concern are found, the consignment is not eligible to be exported to China, so pest control, inspection, and required treatment/records are critical to avoid shipment failure.