Written by Thet Sambath
The Phnom Penh Post
Protectionism aimed at other crops, too: officials, traders
THAI authorities have closed the border to agricultural products from Cambodia at all checkpoints between the two countries due to Thai farmers protesting the competition posed by cheaper Cambodian exports, officials and traders said.
In what is being seen as a protectionist measure on Thailand's part, Cambodian sources on the border told the Post that Koh Kong, Pursat, Battambang, Pailin, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces are all affected. Cassava and rice were being blocked - the main products barred - and may not reach export markets, traders said. At some crossings, corn, beans and sesame have also been barred, they said.
"The Thai authorities have told us they must close to imports of Cambodian agricultural products because their people are protesting at [government] offices against crops imported into their country because it brings prices down," Sok Pheap, chief of the Cambodia-Thailand Border Relations Office, said Sunday.
Cambodian dry cassava was selling for 2.1 baht (six US cents) per kilogram Sunday compared to 2.6 baht (7.5 cents) per kilogram in Thailand. Similarly, corn was slightly cheaper in Cambodia at 6.2 baht per kilogram - in Thailand it was 6.8 baht per kilogram.
Early last week, some crossings had been kept open, meaning Cambodian exports were still getting through, but since that time the border has been completely closed to Cambodian agricultural produce, said Sok Pheap.
Keo Narin, a Cambodian army officer in Military Region 5 in O'Beichon commune, O'Chrouv district, Banteay Meanchey province, said Sunday that cassava, corn, rice and other crops are being stored in houses and rice fields along the border.
"The [border] closure continues, so farmers are trying to keep their goods from going bad in the hope the gates will open again in the near future," he said.
Smuggling continues
Despite the blockade, some Thai and Cambodian businessmen are continuing to smuggle agricultural products across the border, he added, but trade is well down.
Ung Oeun, governor of Banteay Meanchey province, said Sunday that he has asked Thai officials in neighbouring Sa Keo province to have a meeting at the end of this month to discuss the issue.
"We will ask them [the Thais] to resume normal border trade," said Ung Oeun, adding that there had been no orders from Phnom Penh to initiate counter-protectionist measures.
Despite the blockade, there was some good news for Cambodian traders. One exporter, Som Mab, said Sunday: "I was told by the Thai authorities this weekend that they will allow Cambodian rice to be imported into Thailand in two days' time." In Pailin, dry cassava was already being allowed through, he added.
THAI authorities have closed the border to agricultural products from Cambodia at all checkpoints between the two countries due to Thai farmers protesting the competition posed by cheaper Cambodian exports, officials and traders said.
In what is being seen as a protectionist measure on Thailand's part, Cambodian sources on the border told the Post that Koh Kong, Pursat, Battambang, Pailin, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces are all affected. Cassava and rice were being blocked - the main products barred - and may not reach export markets, traders said. At some crossings, corn, beans and sesame have also been barred, they said.
"The Thai authorities have told us they must close to imports of Cambodian agricultural products because their people are protesting at [government] offices against crops imported into their country because it brings prices down," Sok Pheap, chief of the Cambodia-Thailand Border Relations Office, said Sunday.
Cambodian dry cassava was selling for 2.1 baht (six US cents) per kilogram Sunday compared to 2.6 baht (7.5 cents) per kilogram in Thailand. Similarly, corn was slightly cheaper in Cambodia at 6.2 baht per kilogram - in Thailand it was 6.8 baht per kilogram.
Early last week, some crossings had been kept open, meaning Cambodian exports were still getting through, but since that time the border has been completely closed to Cambodian agricultural produce, said Sok Pheap.
"They didn't tell us when they will again allow crops to be imported. ""In a meeting, they didn't tell us when they will again allow [Cambodian] crops to be imported into their country," he added.
Keo Narin, a Cambodian army officer in Military Region 5 in O'Beichon commune, O'Chrouv district, Banteay Meanchey province, said Sunday that cassava, corn, rice and other crops are being stored in houses and rice fields along the border.
"The [border] closure continues, so farmers are trying to keep their goods from going bad in the hope the gates will open again in the near future," he said.
Smuggling continues
Despite the blockade, some Thai and Cambodian businessmen are continuing to smuggle agricultural products across the border, he added, but trade is well down.
Ung Oeun, governor of Banteay Meanchey province, said Sunday that he has asked Thai officials in neighbouring Sa Keo province to have a meeting at the end of this month to discuss the issue.
"We will ask them [the Thais] to resume normal border trade," said Ung Oeun, adding that there had been no orders from Phnom Penh to initiate counter-protectionist measures.
Despite the blockade, there was some good news for Cambodian traders. One exporter, Som Mab, said Sunday: "I was told by the Thai authorities this weekend that they will allow Cambodian rice to be imported into Thailand in two days' time." In Pailin, dry cassava was already being allowed through, he added.
9 comments:
No,we don't nmeed import the Siam product!!!!We don't need Siam!!!
Only Ah Hund Xen need Siam and Youn Hanoi!!!We are khmers, we don't need them!!!!
We can live without Ah robber Siam and Youn!!!
yes, i think everything the thai authority does to khmer people who are just trying to make a living along the common borders should be responded with same bilateral benefit. this way, thai people can feel the same effect they are doing to khmer people!
Looks like a win-win deal for both sides to me. All the Khmer farmers have to do is to raise up the price a bit and back to business as usual, and with bigger profit too.
Don't listen to Ah Potato Diggers. They are soooo stupid.
Don’t expect too much from Thai. Thai is a racist nation against Cambodians at this time due to tension going on along the deputed border. People can’t do anything if the government doesn’t get involved to improve the situation. It will have a big impact on the poor who depend on Thai as their consumers.
Cambodians should look for other alternatives to sell Cambodian products to generate the income.
Don’t put all eggs in one bag. If all eggs in a bag break, you got nothing left. If you put eggs in two separate bags, when one bag of eggs break, more likely you still have another bag with good eggs saved.
Cambodia must ban certain key import items to Cambodia too. This is not market economy the double headed Thailand. Cambodia will make you suffer the same way your country doing to our people. I am not extremist but that is fair way, what goes around, comes around.
Yeah, right, Ah potato digger, and then you wake up.
Why Cambodian government find a market for the farmer beside Siem and Youn? Through my understanding, their many country want to buy our agriculture products, dont depend on Youn and Siem, find new markets. It is sad to hear that our farmers cannot sell their rice and cassava.
The farmer this year really face the problem because the production cost very high when they start plantation, they borrowed money from micro finance instistution and local lender with the interest rate. so if they could not sell the product, they will be in difficulty and maybe next they will reduce the planting as they has no capital for investment.
I stopped buying thai products for many years now. Ship all Khmer products to America and I will buy it.
Oh plzzz ... don't do us any favor, Ah George Washington's potato digger (11:33). Just stay away and stop spreading your diseases all over Cambodia.
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