As Cambodia’s ban on Thai fruit imports took effect amid border tensions, local traders are grappling with shortages, rising prices, and spoiled stock in Thailand—while officials urge a shift toward alternative markets and domestic produce.
Cambodia banned the import of Thai fruits and vegetables at all border checkpoints earlier this week, amid escalating tensions following a fatal military clash on May 28.
As a result, some fruit sellers are facing shortages, although they still support the government’s decision, saying it is necessary to protect the country.
Chhun Kamon, a fruit seller and wholesaler at Neak Meas Market, said she has faced a fruit shortage since the government’s ban on imports from Thailand. Some days she has stock, but other days she runs out. “I don’t have much fruit to sell since the ban on Thai fruit [imports], but that’s okay — I support the government’s decision,” she said.
Kamon used to earn around $1,500 per day, but now makes about $1,000. The prices have also gone up—apples that once cost 7,000 riels per kilogram now sell for 10,000 riels. Currently, she has only a few types of fruit available, such as apples, pears, and grapes.
If the situation continues, she plans to look for alternative sources, for instance apples from New Zealand or the United States. However, she noted, these options are more expensive and might be harder to sell than Thai fruit.
Another fruit trader, who imports directly from Thailand, and declined to be named, said the ban has severely impacted his business. Since the border closed, he has not had any fruit to sell, and much of the stock he had already paid for, has gone bad.
“I haven’t had any fruit to sell for three or four days. Nothing is coming in, and I don’t know what to do. The fruit in the truck [at the border] are all rotten,” he said.
He had ordered fruits, such as mangosteen and rambutan, worth $4,000 to $5,000 per farm from Thai farmers.
The Thai Ministry of Commerce is speeding up the distribution of local fruits to reduce the impact of the temporary border closure with Cambodia, which have disrupted fruit exports from eastern Thailand.
Pen Sovicheat, spokesperson for Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce, told CamboJA News that while some sellers are facing difficulties due to the Thai fruit import ban, their experience does not reflect the whole sector.
He acknowledged that the situation is “challenging” because of a reliance on Thai imports, and urged traders to seek alternatives, such as Vietnam, local produce, or fruits from Australia and the U.S.
“We also have some measures in place to encourage fruit farmers to build stronger connections with wholesalers,” he said. “The Ministry of Commerce wants both consumers and sellers to support and promote Cambodian products.”
Sovicheat added that the ongoing border tension has “not significantly” affected Cambodia’s agricultural exports, as the country exports to several markets, not just Thailand.
“Products like cashew nuts, durian, and cassava are not destined for Thailand but for China,” he said. “We are actively using bilateral trade agreements with China to support these exports.”
Late Friday night, Senate President Hun Sen revealed that Thailand’s opposition party proposed cutting oil exports to Cambodia in an attempt to pressure the country into submission. However, he stressed that such a move would ultimately backfire.
“We firmly state that we will not collapse simply because we don’t import oil from Thailand,” Hun Sen said. “On the contrary, it may be Thailand’s own PTT company that will face the consequences. Is it truly your intention to see Thailand’s PTT company fall? If so, go ahead and follow through with your plan.”
He emphasized that Cambodia would simply turn to other markets to meet its energy needs.
Hun Sen also urged the government to seriously consider diversifying import sources away from Thailand to prevent similar threats in the future. If the ongoing border tensions remain unresolved, he suggested suspending all imports of canned goods from Thailand — including alcoholic beverages, energy drinks, canned fish, and canned meat — and replacing them with local products or goods from alternative markets.
Ou Virak, president of Future Forum, told CamboJA News that despite the tensions, it is unlikely that Thailand would retaliate by banning gasoline exports to Cambodia, as Cambodia could easily replace it with imports from Vietnam.
“A short-term disruption and minor shortages are possible, but the overall impact would be minimal,” he said. “Gasoline prices in Cambodia could rise slightly, particularly in areas near the Thai border, but I highly doubt Thailand will take such a step.”
Similarly, major tax losses from the recent ban on fruit and vegetable imports from Thailand is not expected, as most imports have traditionally occurred through “informal channels” without proper enforcement mechanisms in place.
“I don’t think Cambodia has earned significant tax revenue from importing fruits and vegetables from Thailand or Vietnam, as much of the trade happens unofficially and without effective taxation,” he said.
Virak noted that some traders may attempt to bypass the restrictions, especially as enforcement could weaken in the coming weeks.
He also expressed concern about the impact on Cambodia’s own exports of raw and unprocessed agricultural goods—such as cashew nuts and cassava—which could be disrupted by the current tensions.
“The current tensions are affecting villagers along the border who rely heavily on these trades,” Virak said.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, Thailand was Cambodia’s second-largest importer of cassava, purchasing $198 million worth of produce in the first 11 months of 2024.
Thailand also accounted for 99.53% of Cambodia’s $27.95 million longan exports, and received 53.81% of the country’s $137 million mango exports.
Virak added that Cambodia should focus on de-escalating the situation through diplomacy and reopening border trade as soon as possible.
“We are in a position of strength and should continue working through the Joint Border Committee and allow the International Court of Justice process to take its course,” he said.
