Rice price stabilised thanks to increase in supply, federation says

The Green Trade Company and the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) on Wednesday said increasing the supply of milled rice in the local market has helped stabilise prices as the country faces the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Earlier this month, a significant number of people were reported to be stockpiling staple goods like rice in fear that the outbreak of the novel coronavirus could lead to shortages.

CRF vice-president Chan Sokheang told The Post that to prevent shortages of important commodities like rice, the government and the private sector were working together to increase shipments of the grain to local shops by 100 to 500 tonnes.

“Sales of rice is still strong and the price is stable,” he said, adding that people can buy rice at the Green Trade Company, a state-owned enterprise with branches in Phnom Penh’s Daun Penh and Russey Keo districts.

A representative of Green Trade Company said the company has been selling about one tonne of rice per day since March 9.

“A lot of locals are buying rice from this store at a very good price,” he said.

Rice can also be purchased at Amru Rice (Cambodia) Co Ltd, Mekong Oryza Trading, Baitong Rice Export Company, Khmer Food Group and through rice millers.

In a recent press release, CRF urged the public to avoid panic buying.

“Please don’t panic. There is plenty of rice. If you panic the price of rice will shoot up,” it said.