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PROJECT “NETWORK FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
THINK-TAKS FOR COUNTRIES IN MEKONG-SUB REGION” (NARDT)

technologies. At the annual TRT World Rice Conferences, Cambodia has received
the World’s Best Rice award for the previous three years in a row. In 2018 and 2020,
fragrant rice account for 79% in 2018 and 82% in 2020, followed by white rice (17% in
both years). Other rice witnessed an insignificant share and tended to decrease over
years (Figure 13).
Figure 18: Types of milled rice exported between 2018 and 2021

Year 2018 Year 2020

Source: MAFF Annual Report 2020
Among all of 4 countries, Laos’ export structure is the least diversified
however, it also increased the export value by focusing on exporting milled rice
instead of paddy. This can increase the risks for Laos as well as difficulties to find
buyers. There is a huge change in the product structure over the past few years. In
2020, glutinous became the main segment, accounting for 88% of the market share
whereas non-glutinous rice (mainly parboiled rice) which is the main rice in 2015 with
47% decreased to only 2% in the year 2020. Previously, glutinous paddy rice was the
main exported product, but the government has soon realized the value-added from
milled rice, which changed its strategic plan aiming to reduce the export of paddy rice
to increase value-added to rice export products.
Figure 19: Types of milled rice exported between 2015 and 2021

Year 2015 Year 2020

Source: MAFF Annual Report 2020

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