Chinese New Year boosts sales of chicken

Chicken sales is in full speed at the Olympic Market (Photo: Cambodge Soir Hebdo)

25 Jan 2009
By Nhim Sophal
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French

Chicken is the most sold meat, even more than pork, during the Chinese New year celebration between 26 and 28 January. Each Sino-Khmer family from Phnom Penh buys between 5 to 10 kilos of chicken to offer to the spirit of their ancestors. The Chinese New Year starts on 25 January.
Muoyeka, a Sino-Khmer from Phnom Penh, estimated that his family will spend upward $100 for the Chinese New Year. This budget includes the purchase of prayer objects, chicken and drinks. “This festival is very important, so we are making the necessary effort to pay for it, just like other Sino-Khmer families,” Muoyeka indicated.

Among the shopkeepers, everybody is taking advantage of the situation: even fruit and vegetable sellers are now offering chicken for sale to earn some extra money before the holidays.

Ouk Moeun, a chicken seller from Kandal province, indicated that he reserved about one ton (1,000 kilos) of chicken for sale during the Chinese New year. One kilo of chicken normally costs 16,000 riels ($4), but the price increases during this period to no less than 25,000 riels ($6.25) per kilo. Each shopkeeper sells between 30 to 50 chicken daily in the average.