PHNOM PENH: Cambodia Pepper and Spices Federation (CPSF) and Khmer Organic Cooperative Co., Ltd. (KOC) have co-launched the Export Development Programme 2023 (EDP) and organic certification celebration to increase the competitiveness of Cambodian agricultural products in foreign markets.

The launching event was held in Preah Sihanouk province on Dec. 18 in the presence of H.E. Kim Meassokseiha, Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Commerce.

The event was attended by over 250 companies and organisations including modern trade and supermarkets, distribution companies, trading companies, agricultural cooperatives and associations, federations, input suppliers, government officials, development partners, embassy representatives, processors and Cambodian successful exporters who will engage, connect and network.

The Export Development Programme – EDP 2023 is a comprehensive programme that aims to support CPSF members and their partners with knowledge and skills through a variety of selected activities including an export launching programme and export financing programme, according to a press release.

CPSF members and partners will gain knowledge, skills and communications to further their export planning of potential products to international markets, said CPSF President Mak Ny.

“Our common goal is to increase the competitiveness of Cambodian agricultural products, specifically organic products in Export Markets,” he said.

The EDP programme will also offer a variety of other activities including key stakeholder engagement, presentations, panel discussions, lessons learned and success stories from Cambodian exporters.

The organic certification celebration is under the standard of EU, USDA and Canada of Khmer Organic Cooperative.

H.E. Kem Meassokseiha said that the ministry expects the programme to not only boost the export of pepper and spice products, but also that of other potential agricultural products to overseas markets.

“This is an important forum that is not only for the launch the EDP 2023, but also to strengthen the solidarity and build a network of stakeholders in the line agricultural add value chain and boost exports,” he underlined.

The EDP 2023 and Organic Certification celebration are implemented by CPSF and KOC, through funding support from USAID-Feed the Future Cambodia Harvest III, EU, RECOVER, DCA, and HEKS EPER.

Established in 2018, the CPSF represents the interests of the Cambodian pepper and spice sector and works to ensure the supply of high-quality and safe Cambodian pepper and spice in the local and global market.

With the support from Feed the Future Cambodian Harvest III, CPSF is able to increase the focus of its export efforts on sustainable development, trade facilitation and market development and support Cambodian SMEs improve their competitiveness and increase their market share in the export market.

Feed the Future Cambodia Harvest III is a five-year USAID-funded activity to promote sustainable broad-based economic growth through increased diversification, inclusion, resilience, and competiveness in Cambodia's agriculture sector.

Cambodia exported 5,805 tonnes of pepper to foreign markets in the January-November period this year, a 30 percent decrease compared to the same period last year, pointed out a report of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.

The current price of pepper is between US$3,000-US$3,500 per tonne, according to CPSF.