Cambodia’s GI products see high demands in past year

PHNOM PENH, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- The demands of Cambodia’s geographical indication (GI) products—Kampot pepper an  Kampong Speu palm sugar—have  sharply increased in the past year, the industry chiefs said Monday.
  Nguon Lay, president of the Kampot Pepper Producers' Association, said all 16 tons of Kampot pepper output in 2011 was sold  out, an increase of 57 percent from 10.2 tons in a year earlier.
  “We see that the market for the pepper is very good from year to year since it gained GI status in 2009,” he told Xinhua.
  A ton of the white and red pepper cost 15,000 U.S. dollars, whist the black one goes for 8,000 U.S. dollars—the purchase prices  from farmers, he said.
  This year, he said, it’s expected that about 20 tons of the pepper will be harvested, and “the entire amount has already received  the purchase orders.”
  The pepper has been exported to 11 countries including France, the United States, Japan and some European countries.
  Nguon Lay said that as the demand is increasing, more farmers have flocked to grow pepper.
  “By the end of 2010, only 129 farmers have grown pepper in Kampot province, but now there are up to 184 farmers,” he said.
  In Cambodia, to date, only Kampot pepper and Kampong Speu palm sugar were recognized as GI products in April 2009.
  Unlike a traditional trademark, a geographic indication emphasizes the origins of the product, as well as unique features,  including its appearance, color, flavor, physical or chemical characteristics, or specific production process, thereby distinguishing  it as a brand on the international market.
  Sam Saroeun, the president of the Cambodian Sugar Association, which has more than 170 families as members, said the sale  demand of Kampong Speu palm sugar rose about 54 percent to some 40 tons in 2011 from 26 tons in a year earlier.
  “With the GI status and broad promotion, the demand for Kampong Speu palm sugar has increased remarkably,” he said,  adding that a ton of the sugar is around 1,000 U.S. dollars.
  Kampot is a coastal province situated some 150 kilometers Southwest of Phnom Penh, while Kampong Speu is situated some 48  kilometers West of Phnom Penh.