Decline in price of rubber leaves Cambodian farmers scrambling
As of last year, rubber trees occupied more than 357,000 hectares in Cambodia, with more than 90,000 hectares old enough for cultivation. Now, some farmers are regretting their choice of cash crop, after a rough three years in which rubber prices have plummeted.
“It’s good for our family because of the low maintenance and because we can harvest it every day,” Ms. Phat says. “But there’s not enough money.”
An official with the Ministry of Agriculture who requested anonymity said the expansion of rubber cultivation had slowed by nearly half throughout Cambodia. Whereas five years ago, approximately 20,000 hectares of trees were being planted every year, he now estimates new planting to be closer to 10,000 hectares.
