Local demand for domestic durian will be high this year as border restrictions complicate the entry of imports from neighbouring countries, according to Cambodian vendors and growers.

Khim Bunleng, founder of the “King of Durian” shops in Phnom Penh, told The Post on May 10 that his two branches plan to buy about 200 tonnes of durians from farmers to supply the capital.

One branch is in Por Sen Chey district’s Chaom Chao I commune and the other is in Meanchey district’s Stung Meanchey commune. Bunleng also owns a durian plantation in Kampot province.

“My target for this year – I want to sell 200 tonnes of durian because I want to boost the market for our locally-planted fruits and take this opportunity to educate people about the value of Cambodian durian,” he said.

Coupled with the border restrictions, the closures of Neak Meas and Doeum Kor markets – the largest wholesale markets in the capital – to prevent and control the spread of Covid-19, will improve the local durian market this year, he said.

“I have observed that our locally-farmed durian receives a lot of support from our people. But most sellers import durian from Vietnam and Thailand, most of which are not so good in quality.

“However, durian production in Cambodia focuses on safety and quality because we have more vacant land compared to neighbouring countries,” Bunleng said.

He cautioned that neglecting the local durian market would discourage farmers, leading them to quit the agricultural sector.

“I think our country is not yet able to produce agricultural products at lower costs, because we import all our fertilisers and pesticides, and our technology is still limited,” he said.

He added that the retail price of durian has remained steady this year at 25,000-28,000 riel ($6.25-$7) per kilogramme.https://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/domestic-demand-sweeten-durian-prices-2021