Cambodian Cashew Producer Looks to Japan
Lai Huot said she has been working with Japanese partners since 2020 and exported 70 tonnes along with 30 tonnes for the domestic market. Photo: ThmeyThmey25
- By Nhek Sreyleak
- December 8, 2023 9:50 AM
KAMPONG THOM – A leading cashew nut processer in Kampong Thom province is looking to expand exports, particularly to Japan, after a fall in prices in Vietnam.
In Lai Huot, founder of Chey Sambo Cashew Nut Processing Handicraft, said cashew nuts had been exported to Vietnam for $120 per tonne but at the beginning of this year, Vietnam set the price at only $40.
“So, I decided to stockpile the harvest,” she said.
Lai Huot said she has been working with Japanese partners since 2020 and exported 70 tonnes along with 30 tonnes for the domestic market.
The company had exported to Germany from 2020 to 2022 but has not exported any to the country this year as she prepares certification of quality.
“I am proud to be a farmer who can help bring this product to the world so that they know Khmer cashew nuts are delicious and grown by our Cambodian farmers,” she said.
The company was established in 2019 in Kampong Svay district and employs mostly women.
Lai Huot aims to create jobs and boost local growth by planting cashews in her plantations and buying them from community members in Preah Vihear and Kampong Thom provinces.
Currently engaged in negotiations with companies from Canada, Japan, Korea, and Thailand, Lai Huot envisions expanding the global footprint of Cambodian cashew nuts.
“I believe people in Europe enjoy cashew nuts, and my dream is to introduce our Cambodian products to international markets in Europe and the United States,” she said.
Fueled by strong demand in both the domestic and Japanese markets, the 47-year-old entrepreneur is set to enhance processing with plans to produce three tonnes of cashew nuts per day, aiming to export 1,500 tonnes by 2024.
Traditionally, Cambodia exports most of its cashew production to Vietnam, where the nuts are processed and exported worldwide. China, Japan, Laos and the United Arab Emirates are also big export markets for Cambodia.
Cambodia has exported about 610,000 tonnes of cashews to Vietnam so far this year, down 16 percent on the same period in 2022, according to the Cambodian Cashew Association, bringing in $831 million.
Cambodia has about 700,000 hectares of cashew plantations with more than 110,000 hectares being in Kampong Thom province.
Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey25, this story was translated by Chhuon Kongieng for Cambodianess.
