Sitting under the fan at a Phnom Penh tea stall, conversations about the cost of living almost always turn to how local produce is changing. Yu Phea, a farmer living near Phnom Penh Thmey, told local media that with the border closed for a while recently, his farm’s melons and leafy greens have been selling much faster. Locals are definitely showing more enthusiasm for homegrown goods than before.
A few years back, local melons and fruit had a really tough time competing with imports from neighboring countries, often getting squeezed out of the market. But Yu Phea said things have shifted now. Whether it is fruits, vegetables, fish, or meat, local consumers are throwing their support behind local farmers. It is not just everyday shoppers—city supermarkets, hotels, and restaurants are coming straight to the farm looking for stock. Items like his melons, leafy greens, and cherry tomatoes are now landing directly on the shelves of major Phnom Penh supermarkets.
While the prices are not making anyone rich overnight, steady sales mean ripe produce goes straight out for wholesale and retail as soon as it is picked, moving much faster than before. Right now, this farm located in Phneat village, Ponhea Leu district, is supplying over ten tons of melons and green vegetables to the market every month—genuinely good news to chat about over tea and coffee.
