The statistics² in Table 1 provide an overview of the cattle and beef industry in Cambodia. Based on the data from Department of Animal Health and Production³ , the country had 3.43 million cattle head in 2013 (including draught cattle which account for 40-50% of the total cattle number). Growth in cattle numbers in Cambodia is modest (1.1% per annum).
The official slaughter numbers were relatively low compared to other ASEAN countries, at over 100,000 head (growing at 3.3% per annum). The official slaughter levels are lower than the actual slaughtered as the figures may be underestimated, and illegal slaughtering is not included. The low turnoff rate clearly reflects the un-commercialised beef cattle systems in Cambodia. Due to the low turnoff rate, the growth in beef supply per capita in Cambodia increased only slowly over the period 2000-2013 (1.7%).

² Data is provided by Department of Animal Health and Production. Cattle numbers are reported at the end of each fiscal year (mid year) which are the same as the FAO data. Data on buffaloes and buffalo meat is not included.
³ Department of Animal Health and Production is under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

The cattle industry in Cambodia is still at a early stage of development. The industry is influenced by a number of drivers. Firstly, Cambodia is increasingly integrating with the region and has enjoyed a decade of macroeconomic stability and growth. The economic reforms initiated in the mid-1980s have progressed the country towards a market economy, including the liberalisation of domestic markets and privatisation of state-owned companies. The GDP growth was at 7.4% in 2013 (World Bank, 2014). Inflation has been low for a number of years, and the exchange rate is relatively stable. As incomes rise, the demand for meat, particularly beef in the country is growing which has stimulated domestic beef production.

Secondly, demand for cattle and cattle products from Vietnam and China has rapidly increased in the past few years. This includes the demand for feeder cattle with high growth potential for feedlotsin these countries. As a result, the development of cattle industry in Cambodia requires significant intensification to consistently supply cattle. However, cattle production in Cambodia is known to be limited by poor husbandry and animal health practices (MAFF, 2013). This affects the country’s ability to legally export cattle unless Cambodia takes concrete steps, in particularly to create an FMD-free zone (Ear, 2005).

Figure 1 below indicates that Cambodian cattle herd increased from 2.9 million head in 2000 to 3.4 million head in 2013. However cattle numbers have steadily declined since 2009 mainly due to mechanisation in cultivation and transportation (MAFF, 2013). This also increased slaughter number (Figure1).

The slaughter number⁵ shows a fluctuation but in an increase trend. The official slaughter number reached a peak at 115,973 head in 2011, and then dropped to 108,272 head in 2013. The sharp increase in the turnoff number since 2008 was due to: (1) increase in the demand from Vietnam and China; (2) increased mechanisation reduced the need for draught cattle, thus more cattle were brought for draughter. However, the official figures might be under-estimated and did not record illegal slaughtering (MAFF, 2013).

The official beef production figures were based on the slaughter number. The average weight per head for this estimation was 250 kg, with carcass weight 120 kg/head (MAFF, 2013). The cattle meat production increased slowly from 8,764 tonnes in 2001 to 12,992 tonnes in 2013 (Figure 1). These official figures seem to be understated as the turnoff number was under-estimated, and illegal slaughtering was not recorded.

Figure 1: Cattle production in Cambodia

⁵ Official figures reported from Provincial Offices of Animal Health and Production