Cambodia to ban some rice exports April 5 due to coronavirus

Cambodia will ban some rice exports starting April 5 to ensure local food security during the coronavirus crisis, Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Monday. The Asian nation is the latest country to curb food exports, although it is not a major rice exporter, exporting only about 500,000 tonnes a year according to government figures.

"I have ordered the suspension of white rice and paddy rice exports but allowed the export of fragrant rice until there is a new regulation for domestic supply," Hun Sen said in a speech, adding that the measure would take effect from April 5. Vietnam, the world's largest rice exporter, announced last week it would not accept new contracts. (Writing by Kay Johnson; Editing by Edmund Blair)