Cambodian Mango Exports Surge in 2021

Published 2021년 9월 11일

In the first eight months of 2021, Cambodia recorded a 251% increase in fresh mango exports, a 195% increase in mango jam, and a 7% increase in mango syrup. The exports have surged due to high global demand and reviving markets as COVID-19 restrictions fall. Furthermore, a dramatic increase in imports is due to newly granted market access by the Chinese market as the country opened its door to Cambodian mangoes.

Mango trees have been cultivated in Cambodia for thousands of years now as the agro-climatic conditions of Cambodia aid the growth of these trees. They are growing across the country with more than 100,000 hectares of land devoted to mango production. The main mango growing regions are located in Kampong Speu, Kampot, Battambang, and Banteay Meanchey provinces. In 2020, 1.75 million tonnes of mangoes were produced in Cambodia out of which 950,000 tonnes were directed to exports. Though Cambodia exports only a small share of mangoes, the country has recorded an increase in the volume and volume of exports in the last 5 years. Between 2015 and 2020, mango exports to the world grew by 148.44% with Czechia, Hongkong, China, Japan and, Norway with the largest shares.

Source: Tridge. Trade Data.

Mango exports from Cambodia have surged during 2021 thanks to the high global demand and reviving markets as COVID-19 restrictions fall. The country exported 4.136 million tons over the first five months of 2021 which is 27% more than the same period during the last season. The fresh mango exports between January and May were roughly 152,090 tons, corresponding to a year-on-year increase of almost 250% while the export volume of dried mangoes reached 10,553 tons witnessing a year-on-year increase of 7,000 tons. The export volume further increased as August came to an end. During the first eight months of 2021, exports increased by 251% over the previous year touching 163,828 tons. At the same time, the nation exported 14,087 tons of mango jam and over 4,000 tons of mango syrup, up 195% and 7% respectively in comparison to the previous season.

The dramatic increase in imports is due to newly granted market access by the Chinese market as the country opened its door to Cambodian mangoes. China has allowed Cambodia to export fresh mangoes directly to its market after Chinese Customs in the last week of April for the first time. China provided certification to 37 mango plantations and five packaging factories as compliant with phytosanitary and packaging standards. The plantation owners and exporters are motivated to continue their efforts to develop their plantations from traditional or family-based operations to commercial production.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) is encouraging all mango growers and farmers to register their mango cultivation with the General Directorate of Agriculture.This will help them further share information and technical training services to boost the production, quality, and standard of the fruit for the export market. They are working towards forming mango business clusters that work with local and international companies to sign up for contract farming and collect mangoes for processing and export.