Phnom penh: The Royal Government of Cambodia is implementing a strategic shift to transform the nation from a raw producer into a leading global exporter of high-value cashew nuts and pepper, the Ministry of Commerce announced on Thursday.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the initiative aims to bolster the country’s competitiveness and capture a larger share of the international market, particularly within the European Union. Commerce Minister Cham Nimul outlined the strategy at the opening of the “Cambodia Cashew and Pepper Trade Forum 2025,” a two-day event in Phnom Penh focused on expanding EU market access.

The forum brings together producers, processors, exporters, and international investors to foster innovation and explore new trade opportunities. “In close cooperation with all stakeholders, we are strengthening export capacity and implementing robust quality assurance, certification, and traceability systems to meet stringent European standards,” Minister Nimul stated.

The Royal Government has laid the policy groundwork for this transition, including the National Policy on Cashew Nuts 2022-2027 and a forthcoming National Policy on Cambodian Pepper. These frameworks are designed to promote sustainable production, value-added processing, and enhanced marketing to position Cambodia as a key supplier to domestic, regional, and global markets.

Minister Nimul also emphasised the importance of leveraging international trade agreements, such as Free Trade Agreements and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), to open new markets and build trust with international partners. The event was attended by senior government officials, including the Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, as well as the Ambassadors of the European Union and Germany to Cambodia. The minister acknowledged the support of international partners, including the EU Delegation, the German Embassy, and GIZ Cambodia, in facilitating the sector’s growth.