Chilli exports ratcheted up in spicy 2020

THE government’s policy to boost productivity performance in the agricultural sector has lit a fire under the kingdom’s exports, with shipments of fresh chilli flaring up 27.08% from 55,513 tonnes in 2019 to 70,546 tonnes in a spicy 2020, said Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Veng Sakhon.

Battambang provincial Department of Agriculture director Chhim Vachira said on Thursday that during this time last year, the vegetable cultivation area in the province – chilli and otherwise – had exceeded 1,000ha, eclipsing the target by over 150%.