Sweet news for palm sugar suppliers, users

03 Sep 2020 2151 | Cambodia Travel News

Kampong Speu palm sugar production is promising while demand is rising and farmers are happy with the current price, according to Kampong Speu Palm Sugar Promotion Association (KSPSPA).

KSPSPA’s President Sam Saroeun said yesterday that the harvest season of palm sugar completed in June this year, with the total amount of production reaching 100 tonnes and selling out.

He said that Kampong Speu Palm Sugar is exported to six countries worldwide: China, South Korea, France, Spain, UK and the US.

Saroeun added that the demand for Kampong Speu palm sugar each year has increased year-on-year.

“The farmer can earn between $1.50 and $1.75 per kilogramme – $4,000 to $5,000 per year,” Saroeun added. He said that farmers will earn more if they produce organic palm sugar, which is $1.75 kilogramme.

Saroeun said that the market for the sugar is promising. So far, there are 280 farmers in his association producing palm trees. He added that demand is more than 200 tonnes per year. The association says it will work with farmers to produce palm sugar to fulfil only what the market needs.

“We also want to sell Kampong Speu palm sugar in the domestic market. However, there are a lot of fake palm sugars using the Kampong Speu palm sugar brand, so we would like to call on the authorities to crack down on all the fakes in the market so that we can build our brand in the domestic market too,” Saroeun added.

Chan Pich, general manager of Signature of Asia, said that the company has purchased about 30 tonnes from Kampong Speu province this year, while, the company has also purchased another 20 tonnes of organic palm sugar from Kampong Thom, Svay Rieng, Kampong Chhnang, and 15 tonnes from another local company, enabling the company to export 65 tonnes.