Battambang Cassava Farmers Begin Harvest as Domestic Market Absorbs Output Despite Thai Border Disruptions

BATTAMBANG, Cambodia (Jan. 5, 2026) – Cassava farmers in Battambang Province have begun harvesting their crops, with the domestic market absorbing output despite ongoing border disruptions with Thailand, provincial agriculture officials said Monday.

Farmers in seven major cassava-growing districts – Samlot, Koas Kralor, Sampov Loun, Kamrieng, Rotanak Mondol, Phnum Proek and Rukhak Kiri – reported smooth harvesting and stable market access even without regular exports across the border.

Chheang Phorn, a farmer in Banan District, said he began harvesting in early January and has already sold most of his crop.

“This year my income is better than last year,” he said. “The roots contain high starch, demand is strong, and prices are higher, so I am preparing land to plant the next cycle.”

According to Battambang’s Department of Agriculture, cassava is cultivated on about 124,681 hectares across the seven districts. Farm-gate prices remain stable and in some areas have risen compared to last year.

Average prices are about 215 riel (5 cents) per kilogram for fresh cassava and 593 riel (15 cents) per kilogram for dried cassava, with higher rates reported in Sampov Loun and Phnum Proek districts.

Provincial agriculture official Heng Sith said harvesting runs from mid-December through late February, with average yields exceeding 24 tons per hectare. “Many farmers have already sold their produce, while others are continuing to harvest. Overall production remains strong and markets are stable,” he said.

Source : https://www.kampucheathmey.com