Cambodia - Losses ahead for farmers as fertilizer and pesticide prices continue to rise

As farmers begin harvesting the last rice crops for the year and prepare their lands for planting the next year’s crops, many are expecting to see losses in profit and crop yield as the prices of fertilizers and pesticides are on the rise.

Farmers tending to their crops. Koh Santepheap

Farmers are expecting losses in crop yield as well as they cut down on the use of fertilizers and pesticides due to the rising prices.

A fertilizer and pesticide seller in Sambour Commune in Takeo stated that even if rice farmers sell their crops for 800 riels per kilogram that price of chemical pesticide and fertilizers would still be too expensive.

The seller continued that fertilizer prices increased up to even 70 percent this year. Previously, some brands of fertilizers were only sold for 90,000 riels a bag but now farmers would have to purchase them for 180,000 riels a bag.

The seller continued that of the prices of the fertilizers and pesticides continue to increase, farmers will start using them less. Farmers will face losses due to the increase of costs for farming but the price for rice remains the same. The seller stated that the prices may have increased due to the rising prices of fuel, lack of raw materials, and transportation problems due to the pandemic.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries informed farmers that the hiking of prices is due to problems facing countries that produce and export fertilizers and pesticides. Raw materials from countries like China, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates are in short supply. Producers are also facing a declining work force.