Eating locally

The Cambodian governemnt is lobbying the tourism sector to focus more on using local foods, which it says could generate millions of dollars in revenue a year. But hotels and restaurants say quality standards and supplies of local products are often not adequate and businesses have little choice but use imports. Deputy Prime Minister Mam Sam On said that Cambodia’s revenue from the tourism sector is 25 percent below what it might be if the sector used locally produced foods. She said the reliance on imports discouraged Cambodian farmers from producing more. … Indeed, Cambodia imported US$94.7 million in food and beverages during the first six months of this year, a 28 percent increase over the same period in 2011, according to the Commerce Ministry. Officials said the increase is due to a continued inability of the Kingdom’s producers to meet demand. … However, insiders say the very lack of investment in the sector in the face of growing tourist numbers presents a good opportunity for investors.  Setting up packaging and processing plants that could ensure quality foods reach hotels and restaurants in a timely and consistent manner could bring big returns,…