In Cambodia, cattle production is based on mixed crop-livestock systems smallholders. The commercial market chain for cattle in Cambodia has been operating for only about 15 years.
Due to the difference in market size and demand, market chains at provincial markets are different from the Phnom Penh markets. For the Phnom Penh markets, cattle comes through all stages of the market chain from smallholders, collectors, traders, slaughterhouse, wholesalers, retailers and consumers (Figure 3). In provincial markets there is wholesaler stage so after slaughter beef goes directly from retailers to consumers.
Marketing at the commune/village level is conducted by cattle collectors who often live in the same village as cattle smallholders. Transactions are in cash based on visual estimates of meat yield of the cattle. Traders often buy 1-5 cattle per month, and their profit is based greatly on their knowledge and experience in buying cattle from farmers.
There are different levels of cattle traders in Cambodia. All traders who buy and sell cattle and cattle products in Cambodia are required to pay certain taxes and fees to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). These fees must be paid on a per-head basis in order for the trader to be issued with a movement permit from District Office of AHP. Small traders often travel between communes and districts, and have a network of collectors at village level. Each small cattle trader deals with 5 to 10 cattle collectors. In practice, small traders don’t get a cattle movement permit, but a certificate of ownership is issued by village head or commune leader. They buy and sell 15-20 head per month, and pay cash to collectors after reaching an agreement.
