PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s first Cashew and Pepper Trade Forum kicked off yesterday in Phnom Penh under the theme “Spotlight: Unlocking EU Market Access.”
The two-day forum aims to strengthen Cambodia’s fast-growing cashew and pepper industries by enhancing production, processing, and market access, contributing to the country’s goal of advancing industrial modernisation and value-added processing.
Jointly organised by the Ministry of Commerce (MOC), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), and the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI), together with the European Union (EU), Germany, the Cambodia Cashew Federation (CCF), and the Cambodia Pepper and Spice Federation (CPSF), the Forum gathered more than 300 producers, processors, exporters, investors, and buyers from Cambodia, ASEAN, and the EU.
H.E. HEM Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation, said, Cambodia so far adopted one national standard for cashew and four standards for pepper products. The cashew standard is being reviewed and updated to meet the evolving needs of international markets.
“Recently, Cambodia’s local production and processing capacity has been receiving enthusiastic support and momentum,” Minister Vanndy added. “As Chairman of the National Standards Council, I call on all stakeholders—from the Council’s technical committees to public and private sectors, research and academic community—to continue developing more standards for cashew and pepper to meet both national and international market needs, and contine investing in infrastructure, especially in transportation, storage and processing facilities to increase the added value of these products.”
“By leveraging preferential trade arrangements, Free Trade Agreements, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Cambodia is expanding access to new markets and reinforcing its reputation as a credible trading partner,” said H.E. Mrs. CHAM Nimul, Minister of Commerce.
She added that Cambodia aspires to strengthen its position as a leading producer and exporter of high-quality cashew and pepper and remains fully committed to enhancing the global competitiveness of these strategic sectors.
Cambodia has been working with partners, including the EU to advance export readiness and ensure compliance with European market standards through the development of robust quality infrastructure, certification, and traceability systems.
H.E. Igor Driesmans, Ambassador of the European Union to Cambodia, commended the potential of Cambodian cashew and pepper to be transformed from traditional crop products into powerful export assets. He stated that, “The European Union is pleased to partner with the Government of Cambodia in supporting farmers and SMEs so that their products are exported at higher value to premium global markets such as the European Union.”
Germany is also a key partner in unlocking new opportunities for Cambodia’s cashew and pepper industries. With rising demand for high-quality, responsibly sourced goods, German consumers offer strong potential for Cambodian exports.
H.E. Stefan Messerer, Ambassador of Germany to Cambodia, said, “As the EU’s largest economy, Germany has rising demand for high-quality, responsibly sourced goods. German consumers offer strong potential for Cambodian exports. Germany’s expertise and advanced technologies in agro-processing and certification will also help elevate Cambodian products to meet global standards.”
The two-day Forum featured Team Europe side events, expert panel discussions, and B2B matchmaking sessions connecting Cambodian producers and processors with buyers, investors, and service providers. It also served as a policy platform to coordinate efforts across ministries and partners toward developing Cambodia’s agro-industrial value chains and enhancing export competitiveness. AKP