Cambodia Denies Thai Durian Imports, Steps Up Market Surveillance

PHNOM PENH, May 5, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia has denied reports of durian imports from Thailand and stepped up market surveillance amid a smuggling probe in the northwest, officials said Monday.

Commerce Ministry spokesman Penn Sovicheat said investigations found no evidence of Thai durians in local markets, despite a trader’s admission she had sourced fruit across the border.

Inspections by the Consumer Protection Competition and Fraud Repression Directorate‑General (CCF) in Battambang Province showed vendors claimed their supplies were domestic, though most lacked documentation verifying origins.

Authorities said the absence of invoices has complicated supply‑chain tracing, prompting calls for stricter compliance to ensure transparency and consumer safety. Broader checks across the province have not uncovered imported fruit, in line with restrictions following border tensions.

Officials said mobile laboratory teams will be deployed to test food products in major markets, focusing on harmful substances and quality standards. Local authorities are pursuing legal action against the trader who admitted collaborating with Thai suppliers, while police continue investigations to identify others involved.

The ministry stressed that while customs and border agencies oversee imports, market monitoring will remain a priority to protect consumers and maintain confidence in food safety.