A Chinese company has invested nearly $70 million to grow six varieties of mangoes in Stung Treng province for export to the Chinese market, with plans to channel a further $500 million into a large-scale exporting operation down the line.
Green Sea Agriculture Co Ltd has been growing six varieties of mangoes imported from Taiwan, the US and Australia: R2E2, JinHwang, Keitt, Guifei, TaiNong, and Guire. Its plantation currently covers a total area of 1,200ha, equivalent to 12 per cent of its master plan. To date, it has invested nearly $70 million in its mango plantation, and revealed plans to invest an additional $500 million to expand mango cultivation and export the fruit to the Chinese market on a large scale.
According to Green Sea sources, its objective was to export to China via Vietnam, Thailand and the Preah Sihanouk port. The company acknowledged it has been facing teething problems with transportation since its initial harvest, but noted it has introduced cold-storage facilities that will reduce costs, which has been its main issue.
Cambodia first exported fresh mangoes to the Chinese market in early May. Currently, five companies have been authorized to export the fruit.
Source: phnompenhpost.com