PHNOM PENH: SPC Global— a renowned Australian agribusiness has explored agricultural investment and trade potential in Cambodia, stressing that the firm is interested in expanding to Cambodia for produce such as mango, rambutan, longan, and dragon fruit.
The company, based in Victoria, Australia has over a century of experience in processing and packaging fruit and vegetable products.
The Australian Embassy, and its flagship economic development program, Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED) welcomed Mr. Hussein Rifai, Chairman of SPC Global, and Mr. Matthew McMichael, Chief Operating Officer, according to the embassy’s press release issued on June 19.
The two-and-a-half-day visit allowed SPC Global to travel to Kirirom Food Production in Kampong Speu province and LyLy Food Industry Co. in Phnom Penh capital. They also met with four prominent agribusiness suppliers— Navita Food Production, Misota Food Cambodia, SHE Agrocam, and Royal Trust.
The visit also provided an opportunity to meet with key representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Commerce, Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, and the Investment Agency of the Council for the Development of Cambodia.
Cambodia is an ideal country for us to find new agricultural opportunities — especially in fruits and vegetables that don’t grow or are currently unavailable in Australia, noted Mr. Hussein Rifai, adding that SPC can provide Australian food expertise and knowhow that will enable the development of innovative food products of the highest global quality while developing the agri-food industry in Cambodia.
“The agri-food sector is one of Cambodia’s key focus sectors and Australia is already supporting its development. We are grateful to CAPRED for bringing this opportunity to our attention and are already progressing discussions with a couple of the businesses they introduced to us,” he said.
Between 2017 and 2022, Cambodia’s mango production increased by 160 percent and dried fruit exports increased by up to 6,500 percent. Cambodia has an exceptional capacity for high-value agricultural produce, including mango, banana, cashew, sweet potato, sesame, chilies, and the world-famous Kampot Pepper.
SPC Global’s visit is part of Australia’s efforts to strengthen agricultural ties with Cambodia. It was initiated following a successful meeting between SPC and Cambodian delegates during the CAPRED Agri-food Industrial Park visit to Australia earlier this year.