Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
In Cambodia, fresh green beans (HS 070820: beans of Vigna spp. and Phaseolus spp., fresh or chilled) are primarily a domestic-consumption vegetable market with net imports in formal trade. UN Comtrade data accessed via the World Bank WITS platform indicate Cambodia imported substantially more HS 070820 beans than it exported (e.g., imports in 2022 were mainly from Thailand, while exports in 2023 were minimal). Smallholder vegetable production in lowland provinces such as Kandal, Prey Veng, and Kampong Cham supplies local markets, and postharvest handling constraints (limited shelf-life and buyer rejections) have been a focus of WorldVeg interventions in Cambodia. Market access and border clearance are sensitive to plant quarantine rules, including phytosanitary certification and, for designated high-risk plant quarantine materials, an import permit requirement.
Market RoleNet importer (formal trade) with domestic smallholder production
Domestic RoleDomestic-consumption vegetable supplied by smallholders, supplemented by imports
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
SeasonalitySupply spans both wet and dry seasons; initiatives in Cambodia emphasize safe and off-season vegetable production alongside improved postharvest handling to reduce losses and buyer rejections.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Subject to phytosanitary inspection expectations for freedom from quarantine pests when traded under plant quarantine rules.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Smallholder farms → aggregation/collection → wholesale distribution → retail/foodservice
- Imports (notably from Thailand in HS 070820 formal trade) → border/plant quarantine clearance → wholesale distribution
Temperature- Perishable vegetable: handling delays and inadequate cooling increase spoilage risk and buyer rejections, a theme addressed in Cambodia-focused postharvest interventions.
Shelf Life- Limited shelf-life and postharvest disease/quality issues can trigger buyer rejections and losses in Cambodian vegetable value chains.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeLand
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighImport clearance can be blocked or delayed if plant quarantine requirements are not met, including cases where an Import Certificate/Permit is required for high-risk plant quarantine materials or where phytosanitary certification and inspection conditions are not satisfied under Cambodia’s phytosanitary inspection framework.Before shipping, confirm whether the specific bean product is treated as a high-risk quarantine plant product in Cambodia; secure MAFF plant quarantine import authorization when applicable, align phytosanitary documentation, and schedule inspection readiness at the intended point of entry.
Postharvest Quality MediumLimited shelf-life, postharvest diseases, and handling quality gaps can drive buyer rejections and losses in Cambodia’s vegetable value chains, affecting marketability and realized prices.Implement grading, hygienic handling, and rapid postharvest cooling where feasible; use buyer-aligned postharvest protocols and packaging to reduce damage and disease incidence.
Logistics MediumCross-border delays and weak cold-chain continuity can increase spoilage risk and reduce delivered quality for imported fresh beans, raising effective landed cost and market volatility.Plan border crossing windows, use temperature-managed transport where economically viable, and build contingency time for inspection and documentation checks.
Sustainability- Safe vegetable production and reduced postharvest losses are emphasized in Cambodia-focused vegetable value-chain interventions (including off-season production and postharvest technologies).
FAQ
Is Cambodia primarily an importer or exporter of fresh/chilled green beans in formal trade?Cambodia is a net importer in formal trade for HS 070820 (beans, fresh or chilled). UN Comtrade data accessed via the World Bank WITS platform show imports in 2022 were much larger than exports, and exports in 2023 were reported as minimal.
What plant-health documents can be critical for importing fresh beans into Cambodia?Cambodia’s phytosanitary inspection framework requires compliance with plant quarantine conditions, and the National Trade Repository describes cases where an Import Certificate and Permit for Plant Quarantine Materials is required for high-risk quarantine plant products. A phytosanitary certificate is also a key document under plant quarantine rules, alongside consignment declaration and inspection at the point of entry.
How does Cambodia issue phytosanitary certificates for exporters of plant products like fresh beans?The Cambodia National Trade Repository describes a procedure run by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) Department of Plant Protection Sanitary and Phytosanitary (DPPSP): exporters must be registered with DPPSP, submit an application with supporting documents (including invoice and packing list), and undergo physical inspection (with possible sampling/testing and treatment) before a phytosanitary certificate is issued.