As the 2020-2021 harvest season kicks off, cassava prices in the powerhouse provinces of Preah Vihear and Tbong Khmum register a slight uptick compared to the same period last year.

On the other hand, domestic output is expected to see a slight dip this year over last year, Preah Vihear provincial Department of Commerce director Phan Sam Ang told The Post on Monday.

Cassava is grown in almost every Cambodian province. The crop is planted in May and harvested between November and the end of February each year.

Vann Samnang, a cassava farmer on 20ha in the province, said farmers in the area were now averaging about 30 tonnes per hectare, contingent on the type of soil and maintenance techniques.

“We have only just started harvesting at my plantation – I hope the current going rate will hold steady for a while,” he said.

According to Samnang, most of the cassava is sold to Vietnam by traders.

The department’s Sam Ang said fresh cassava now goes for 310 riel (7.6 US cents) per kg while dry ones sell for 720 riel in the province, attributing the higher prices to strong demand.

Tbong Khmum provincial commerce department director Toch Sokhon said cassava output in his province is also likely to slip this year over last year, as more growers turn to rubber and cashew nuts.

“As prices rise, I know that the demand for cassava in the country is also increasing, especially for making pastries,” he said.

According to Sokhon, fresh cassava sells for 340-360 riel per kg in his province.

Battambang provincial commerce department director Kim Hout pointed out that the recent floods had damaged 30 per cent of the cassava crop in his province and had delayed the harvest.www.phnompenhpost.com/business/cassava-price-harvest-starts