The Minister of Commerce, Lokchumteav Cham Nimul (centre), with other dignitaries during the opening session. ©FAO/Kosal Leng

The Ministry of Commerce (MoC), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) held a national workshop to kick start the formulation process of the Milled Rice Market Expansion and Diversification Strategy, 2024-2030 at Phnom Penh Hotel. The aim of the strategy is to boost the export of milled rice from Cambodia to international markets, where its competitive advantages exist and can be maximized based on its current production capacity and emerging opportunities.  The workshop saw the participation of 120 representatives from related ministries, subnational administrations, rice millers, traders, producer organizations, development partners and research institutions.

Rice is the most consumed grain globally feeding over 50 percent of the world's population[1] and valued at almost USD 28 billion per annum[2]. Over the decades, Cambodia through the joint efforts of value chain stakeholders, has transformed into a rice surplus country, contributing to global food security through the export of milled and paddy rice. Cambodia exported 656 323 tonnes of milled rice to 61 countries and paddy rice of approximately 4.4 million tonnes in 2023, earning a total revenue of about USD 1.8 billion[3]. In addition, rice is an important agricultural commodity, domestically, as a staple food, a source of income for rural households and a contributor to the gross domestic product. According to the Cambodia Agriculture Survey[4], 1.37 million households in Cambodia grow non-aromatic rice while 272 800 households grow aromatic rice.

"Cambodia deserves pride and recognition as an active contributor to global security through the export of its rice surplus to the world, not to mention other commodities. Since rice is a competitive product in the region and across the globe while also being sensitive to climate change, the strategy should be well formulated as a guiding document for investment and action in years to come. We should aim to ensure the effective use of resources for better rice production and value creation for sustainable livelihoods, poverty reduction, and local economic development,” said Ms. Rebekah Bell, FAO Representative in Cambodia.

During the workshop, stakeholders contributed to defining the scope of the strategy, target markets, competitiveness enhancing opportunities, collaboration among value chain actors for cost efficiency, and further in-depth research. This maps a clear direction for a working group which will further explore strategic options and intervention prioritization to ensure that the goal of the strategy is ultimately achieved.

With this strategy, Cambodia has a vision to contribute more and better to global food security through sustainable production and trade. The strategy formulation will therefore take into account prevailing issues such as climate change, the stringent requirement by international markets for reduced greenhouse gas emissions, the need for protection of agricultural ecosystems, changing consumption patterns, the growing demand for healthy diets, as well as disruptions to food production due to ongoing conflicts. 

The strategy will have a seven-year timeframe based on the Government's 7th legislative mandate and will reinforce the achievement of the Government’s long-term vision to be an upper-middle-income country by 2030.