Thailand bars Cambodian rice, cassava

Written by Thet Sambath

Monday, 09 February 2009 Phnom Penh Post

Protectionism aimed at other crops, too: officials, traders Photo by: Tracey Shelton A farmer dries corn in Pailin province. Thailand has blocked Cambodian exports of corn, rice and cassava - among other crops - following pressure from Thai farmers. 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.