CAN THO – Six Vietnamese farm products including cabbages, broccoli, okra, pumpkins, limes and chives have been banned for import by Cambodia after they were found containing pesticide residues that exceeded the permissible quantity.

Cambodia’s authorities checked the quality of over 20 types of fruits and vegetables imported from Vietnam, according to Vo Thi Gai Nho, deputy head of the customs agency at Khanh Binh border gate under the An Giang Department of Customs. The test results found harmful residues in six farm products; so the Cambodian General Department of Customs and agencies at Chrey Thom international border gate in Kandal Province imposed a ban on importing these agricultural products from Vietnam. The entire batch of the six types of vegetables was confiscated and destroyed. Between January and May, bilateral trade revenue between Vietnam and Cambodia reached US$1.2 billion, down 8.1% year-on-year. Vietnam exported goods worth US$1.7 billion to Cambodia, inching down by 6%. Over the five-month period, Vietnam’s exports of farm produce to the neighboring country skyrocketed by 312% year-on-year.

By Trung Chanh