A workshop on rubber technology was hosted by the government in Kampong Cham Province on Wednesday to impart latex harvesting skills to provincial officials. Titled ‘Transfer of Rubber Technology to Local Officers’, the workshop was held at the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Organised with support from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-Cambodia, the workshop was conducted by the Rubber Development Department of the General Directorate of Rubber. The objective was to ensure adherence to EU Deforestation Regulations (EUDR) and Sustainable Natural Rubber (SNR). The event aimed to ensure environmental protection while at the same time maintaining the competitive edge of the rubber industry on the global stage.
With the workshop, the authorities hoped to convince the officers to embrace good agricultural practices and comply with SNR and EUDR specifications. During the workshop, participating provincial officials were taught essential skills in latex harvesting, in addition to participating in discussions on rubber cultivation and examining the intricacies of EUDR compliance.
The opportunity also provided them with a platform to share their experiences with fellow professionals from other provinces. The backing from WWF-Cambodia is crucial in order to ensure EUDR and SNR specifications are complied with. It also ensures that sustainability is promoted while ensuring continued market access for the industry.
“Massive changes are imminent in the rubber industry in Cambodia with the arrival of tyre manufacturers. There will be heavy consequences on the domestic market,” Philippe Monnin, Managing Director, Memot Rubber Plantation Co Ltd told Khmer Times yesterday.
According to a report released by the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia, while global rubber exports declined, Cambodia saw a reversal with a spurt in exports. In the first four months of the year, the Kingdom’s rubber exports hit a total of 83,428 tonnes of dry rubber. The report pinpointed the second half of 2022 as the beginning of this rise.
The May report estimated a 3.7 percent hike compared to last year. The report also put earnings at $125 million in the period between January to April 2024. The figure suggests a 7.4 percent rise from $116.4 million in the same period in 2023.
