Pomelo farmers on Koh Trong island - Kratie province - have expanded their cultivation after the fruit was awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) status.
According to the Koh Trong Pomelo Producer Association, Koh Trong island pomelos are the third Cambodian agricultural product to the obtain GI status, after Kampot’s pepper and Kampong Speu province’s palm sugar. The Association’s president Chea Rina said pomelo cultivation on the island has significantly expanded since the crop was recognised as a GI product: “Pomelo farmers are showing a greater interest in growing the crop since GI status brought the fruit greater value.”
The Association has 155 families as members. Rina said their most recent figures show that there are 35 ha dedicated to pomelo cultivation, with approximately 2,000 of the 100,000 pomelo trees ready for harvesting.
After the island’s pomelos were registered as a GI product in June, the price increased from $1.50 to $3.50 a fruit, said Rina. “Even though the data is not fully up to date, we have noted that farmers keep expanding their cultivation as a result of the price of the product doubling. Even with the price increase, demand has not reduced. Our pomelos have a distinct flavour to those from other regions.” he said
