Thailand
Cambodia: Local chicken prices rise as import quotas take effect
The Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries said that the local reared chicken price has increased as the result of its safeguard measure to strictly limit the import quota on chickens supplying in local market.
According to the Ministry’s statement issued yesterday, the country experienced a bulk of imported chicken into the local market, which consequently hurt the local farmers by resulting a dumping price.
“In the past, farmers, communities and companies that raise chickens had faced challenges when prices dramatically decreased, selling at around 4,800 riel per kg of a live chicken, but since the initiative began in early 2019 the price has gradually be selling better with current prices now at between 6,900 to 7,400 riel per kg,” they said.
It noted there were a total of 13 companies that imported 44,000 chickens per day to Cambodia, but currently, these importers have been reduced to 7 companies with the volume of imported chickens at 17,000 per day.
The Ministry added that measure is aimed to reduce the import of chicken from foreign countries and to ensure a balanced price, which does not harm the local raisers and encourages domestic poultry production.
Srun Pov, president of the Cambodia Livestock Raisers Association, has noticed that local chicken are selling well with a good price after imports have been reduced and restricted.
“The government is doing the right thing with the restriction because they are protecting our farmer interests,” he told Khmer Times yesterday.
He noted that chicken meat has a high demand, currently supplying about 130,000 chickens per day in the local market.
“We have noticed that farmers prices have been rising rapidly lately as the demand is high and there is a shortfall in pork, but the fish price is still higher than chicken,” he said, adding domestic chicken is better than imported when comparing on quality.
Leang Longdy, who owns a small-scale chicken farm in Kandal province, said he has noticed the demand for chicken is growing rapidly, he said, chicken has a competitive price when compared with beef and fish.
“As the demand is high, now is a good opportunity for farmers to raise chickens as it could help generate more income,” he said.
Source: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50678299/local-chicken-prices-rise-as-import-quotas-take-effect