206 hectares of Mondulkiri's land is occupied by coffee plantations with slightly less than a half belonging to private farmers. There has been a 50% increase in the area covered by coffee in 2018 thanks to a significant rise in demand from the part of local coffee lovers with Phnom Penh leading the race in an increasing trend in coffee drinking. International visitors appreciate the specific taste of local arabica and robusta, the former often with a characteristic 'chocolate' or 'coconut' aftertaste, the latter with a pronounces nutty flavour.
This interest and the consumers priorities around the world focusing on healthy food and sustainability provides a good opportunity for organic coffee growers. Cambodia Center for Study and Development in Agriculture (CEDAC) is currently providing the necessary technical support to the farmers of Mondulkiri engaged in coffee growing. The neighbouring countries, as CEDAC assures, use chemical fertilizers widely when growing coffee. Cambodian producers continue practicing traditional coffee farming with a stressed focus on organic standards.
Coffee consumption in the country is growing and new coffee shops are mushrooming around Cambodian cities and most popular tourist spots. Yet there is a long way to go for local coffee growers as today Cambodia is still importing coffee beans from the neighbouring Laos and Vietnam.
Mondulkiri Province Leads Organic Coffee Production in Cambodia
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The southeastern province of Mondulkiri in Cambodia has been attracting tourists mostly with trekking opportunities in the Seima Biodiversiy Conservation area and several waterfalls located in the dense jungle in the vicinity of Senmoronom the capital. Lately, though, it has become an important stop on coffee travellers' trail.