Borneo Bulletin | 9 June 2025CBA to boost Cambodian banana exports to China
Cambodian Banana Agricultural General Co Ltd (CBA), a Chinese enterprise, aims to augment its export of Cavendish bananas to China, targeting 30,000 tons in 2025. This expansion involves enlarging cultivation areas and optimizing the supply chain.
Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kong Chanvisal outlined CBA's initiatives at their banana supply chain launch. "The company harvests bananas from 500 hectares of plantation. It is cultivating an additional 200 hectares (ha), which is expected to begin producing a yield in 2026. At present, the company supplies fresh bananas to supermarkets in Cambodia and exports to China. It exported 20,000 tons in 2024 and aims to increase that to 30,000 tons in 2025," he stated.
CBA's initial banana plantation investment commenced in 2020, generating employment for over 900 locals and fostering infrastructure development along with market connections.
Chanvisal highlighted Cambodia's 21,000ha of Cavendish banana farms, with 15,000ha currently in harvest, yielding approximately 400,000 tons, averaging 25 tons per ha.
There are officially registered and recognized exports from 24 banana farms and 36 packaging facilities to China. In 2024, Cambodia exported 260,000 tons of fresh bananas, with 250,000 tons or 95% directed to China. Vietnam, South Korea, and Malaysia received the remaining portion.
The Secretary of State encouraged further Chinese investments in Cambodia's agricultural sector to boost production and export quality. The agriculture ministry pledged support to foreign enterprises aiming to capitalize on export opportunities.
The sector preserved food security in 2024 while exporting 12 million tons of agricultural products worth USD5.3 billion to 95 countries. Exports to China topped 800,000 tons.
