New Forum Pushes for Cashew Industry Growth
The forum was organized on Dec. 6 and 7 in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce (MoC), the Ministry of Agriculture Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF), Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI), development partners and stakeholders. Photo: Ministry of Commerce
- By Rin Ousa
- December 8, 2023 5:10 PM
PHNOM PENH – A Cashew Forum, the first forum of its kind in the country, has been organized in Kampong Thom province, aiming to attract investment in nut processing and enhance the supply chain.
The forum was organized on Dec. 6 and 7 in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce (MoC), the Ministry of Agriculture Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF), Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI), development partners and stakeholders.
The forum follows adoption of the National Policy on Cashew 2022–2027. It is anticipated that this initiative will boost employment and growth.
With the taste and grain size, cashews have become an industrial crop with substantial potential. Cambodia is the world’s largest cashew producer. More than 90% of Cambodia's raw cashews are exported.
The forum was led by the acting Minister of MoC and the Secretaries of State from MAFF and MISTI. Ambassadors from the EU and Germany also took part, along with industry stakeholders.
Kampong Thom province Governor Nguon Rattanak spoke of the province’s cashew production.
“About 145,000 hectares of total farmed land is dedicated to cashew production,” Rattanak said.
“In addition, Kampong Thom is home to 23 dryers and seven cashew processing enterprises, which together produce about 200,000 tonnes of raw cashew nuts annually, which is equivalent to 30% of the national total.”
German Ambassador Stefan Anton Messerer said the cashew sector has tremendous potential for this country's growth, not only in terms of processing but also in terms of employment, marketing and international trade collaboration.
“The German Federal Republic will continuously support the cashew value chain and improve the agriculture industry in collaboration with the European Union,” he said.
EU Ambassador Igor Driesmans said the bloc will further promote Cambodia's exports including cashew to international markets, including the EU, by promoting climate resilience and sustainable agriculture methods, enhancing quality production and processing capacity, and facilitating trade.
Secretary of State of MAFF Touch Bun Hour said the ministry aims to ensure that Cambodia will maximize the advantages of processing cashew nuts domestically for export. He also expressed the commitment to implementing the 5th and 6th policy programs for the agricultural sector, as outlined by the government in the seventh mandate.
Sun Seng Huot, Secretary of State of MISTI, outlined the ministry's efforts to improve the cashew industry's processing and set standards for cashew products.
Kem Sithon, Acting Minister of the MoC, emphasized the goal of the former PM to promote growth and make Cambodia the world's top cashew exporter.
He spoke of the ministry’s efforts in expanding markets for cashew export as well as engaging in negotiations to establish bilateral, regional, and global free trade agreements.
