The first official exports of fresh longans from Cambodia to China are expected to ship this month, according to Cambodian media. Longans will be only the third Cambodian fresh fruit item approved for import by China’s phytosanitary authorities, following bananas and mangos.
While the addition of a new international market is good news for Cambodia’s longan producers and exporters, the exporting company for the first shipment reported that it has already experienced difficulties sourcing longans owing to a poor harvest this season.
Nevertheless, the company still hopes that it can send the first shipment on Oct. 11. The exporter ultimately plans to purchase and export at least 10,000 metric tons of longans to China, but the timeframe over which this volume would be shipped was not immediately clear.
Agriculture officials in Pailin province, which lies at the heart of Cambodia’s longan-growing regions, urged registered growers who wish to export to China this season to either reach out to their local agriculture ministry offices or directly contact purchasers as soon as possible.
As part of the bilateral export protocols agreed upon between the two countries, Cambodian longan orchards and packing facilities wishing to export longans to China are required to register with the General Administration of Customs of China.
The latest GACC update listed 74 orchards and 8 packing plants that have ticked all required phytosanitary and quality compliance boxes and are permitted to export fresh longans to China. Producereport.com
This article was first published in Khmer Times. All contents and images are copyright to their respective owners and sources.
