Cambodia’s leaf-tobacco production fell last year, according to a story in The Phnom Penh Post citing figures from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Cambodia produced 7,454 tons of tobacco last year on 5,743 ha, down respectively 18 percent from 9,089 tons and 16 percent from 6,859 ha the previous season.
Sum Ra, an agricultural office holder in Tbong Khmum province, the country’s largest producer of leaf, said tobacco cultivation had decreased during the past few years due to market fluctuations.
“Tobacco cultivation is not much of a challenge; it is easy to grow along the river,” he said.
“Tobacco cultivation increases and decreases depending on market fluctuations. Farmers will alternate with corn if the tobacco market is not good.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Commerce spokesman Seang Thay said on Monday that Cambodia still enjoyed preferential duty-free market access to Vietnam for agricultural products, including tobacco.
Under the agreement with Vietnam, Cambodia exported 1,200 tons of tobacco worth $2.37 million to Vietnam during 2017, whereas during 2016 it exported to Vietnam 989.75 tons valued at $1.91 million.