Cambodia 2013 Rice Production May Increase to 6 Million Tons, Despite Floods, Says FAO

Cambodia's milled rice production is expected to increase to around 6 million tons (about 9.34 million tons, basis paddy) in 2013, up about 1% from the previous year, according to the UN's Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).

The FAO says that Cambodia's production is likely to increase in 2013 despite crop damages in about 128,500 hectares of paddy land and about 160,000 tons of paddy produce due to floods last year. Floods affected around 21 provinces in Cambodia between September and November 2013.

According to the Deputy Director-General of Cambodia’s Department of Agriculture, Cambodia’s rice production is increasing year on year due to new intensive farming techniques and use of improved quality seeds. He told local sources that improved irrigation techniques have also contributed to the increase in paddy production in Cambodia.

The FAO projects rice exports by Cambodia to increase to around 1.4 million tons in 2014, up about 8%from the previous year. Most of the rice from Cambodia goes to Vietnam and Thailand through cross-border trade, the FAO says.