Cambodian Mango in Great Demand by Thai Fruit Processors

PHNOM PENH— A large volume of Cambodia's fresh mangoes are being delivered to Thailand's fruit processing plants from where it is bound to be re-exported.

Hundreds of tons of Keo Romeat mangoes are exported to Thailand daily from Kampong Speu in central Cambodia and northwestern Battambang via Pong Namron border crossing in the eastern Thai province of Chantaburi, Vudhipong Ratanamon, head of Trat province's Agricultural Cooperatives for Processed Fruits and Export, said on Friday.

Most of the fresh Cambodian mangoes are processed in Thailand as a dried or sugar-coated fruit bound for export to China, South Korea and other Asian markets, Vudhipong said.

Keo Romeat mango currently sells for about 35 U.S. cents per kilogram in Thai-Cambodian border markets but can sell for as much as 2 U.S. dollars a kilo after it has been processed and re-exported as a dried or sugar-coated fruit.

Nevertheless, Thai authorities see to it that all Keo Romeat mangoes will be given phytosanitary certificates from Cambodia's National Plant Protection Organization, according to the Trat cooperatives head.