Agriculture Minister Calls on Traders to Pay Fair Prices for Rice

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has issued a strong appeal to rice traders and millers to uphold fair purchasing prices for paddy rice, in an effort to stabilize the sector and protect farmers at harvest time.

In a recent video message, Minister Dith Tina emphasised that when traders buy rice at unduly low rates, it poses a serious threat to both production incentives and rural incomes. He stressed that the value chain must recognise and reward the farmers’ efforts.

Key points from the address:

The minister called on traders and rice-mill operators to avoid setting purchase prices so low that farmers make losses, especially during peak harvest seasons.

MAFF reiterated its readiness to intervene in coordination with financial institutions and the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) to ensure that sufficient capital is available for millers to buy at fair rates.

The ministry pointed out that fair pricing is critical not only for incomes, but also for building Cambodia’s reputation as a reliable rice-exporting country. Stable domestic prices support the downstream milling, processing and export chain.

Minister Dith Tina urged formation of modern farming communities and stronger coordination between farmers, millers and traders — so that production planning, contractual purchasing and pricing transparency can improve.

Why this matters: With paddy prices experiencing downward pressure in some regions, farmers face elevated risk of harvesting and immediately selling at prices that don’t cover costs.

The ministry’s appeal to traders is part of a broader strategy that includes financial guarantees, low-interest loans for mills, and support for local rice varieties to enhance profitability.

For farmers, this means the ministry is signalling greater monitoring of trade practices and is prepared to step in when purchase prices drop too sharply. For traders and millers, the message is clear: fair procurement is not optional if the sector is to remain sustainable.