Investigation on market demand and economic feasibility for Christmas tree production in Cambodia

Donal Yeang*

Thesis Abstract

Christmas tree decoration is one of the Christian traditions of the people and countries. In the

present time, Christmas tree decoration is also emerging and increasing gradually in

Cambodia. Christmas tree decoration is mostly held in the luxurious hotels, supermarkets,

Christian followers and other private buildings. Most artificial trees (Plastic trees) are used

for decoration during the Christmas celebration. Seeing the potential of Pinus merkusii (two

needle-leave pine) for natural Christmas tree, the feasibility study on the market demand of

Pinus merkusii for natural Christmas tree was made in Cambodia. The research aims: to find

out the current situation of Christmas tree use and to assess the potential demand of Pinus

merkusii for natural Christmas tree in Cambodia. We conducted face to face interviews with

housekeeping managers of 30 hotels (Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanouk Ville) and 10

private buildings’ owners in Phnom Penh. Then we also used E-mail survey with the

foreigners who are living in Cambodia. Microsoft Excel was used to analyze the data of the

research. As a result, most of the hotels and private buildings used artificial Christmas tree

and only the small number of hotels used natural Christmas tree. There are 12 out of 30 hotels

interested in using Pinus merkusii for their Christmas tree. In addition, all the 10 private

building are not willing to use Pinus merkusii instead of plastic Christmas tree. However,

only 13 foreigners among the 30 who have answered the questionnaire preferred to use Pinus

merkusii. According to the research, the use of artificial Christmas tree was higher than the

use of natural Christmas tree because artificial tree is easier to take care (no fertilizer and

water) and can be used for years. The market demand for Pinus merkusii as natural Christmas

tree is still low compare to the artificial tree. Even there is the market demand for Pinus

merkusii for natural Christmas tree but the segment of potential market is not likely to be

profitable yet for production of Christmas in Cambodia.

*Faculty of Forestry Science, Royal University of Agriculture, Phnom Penh, Cambodia E-mail:yeangdonal@gmail.com

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