Phnom Penh (FN), Feb. 12 - Cambodia exported nearly 60,000 tons of rice in first month of 2019, a decrease of 5% compared to January 2018, according to a report of Secretariat of One Window Service for Rice Export on Tuesday.

Data from the Secretariat of One Window Service for Rice Export Formality showed that Cambodia exported over 20,000 tonnes to Europe, accounted for 40% of the total export, and nearly 20,000 tons to China.

The EU has begun to impose import taxes on rice of Cambodia and Myanmar, which are exported to 28 EU Member States, for a period of three years from 18 January 2019-2021.

The tax will cost Cambodia 175 euros per ton in the first year, 150 euros the second year, and 125 euros the third year.

In 2018, Cambodia exported nearly 300,000 tons of rice to Europe, an equivalent to 43% of the total export volume of 630,000 ton. Commerce experts claimed that Cambodia is likely to lose $50 million per annum.