Rotterdam:Following a successful presence at the SIAL Paris 2026 international food exhibition, a high-level Cambodian delegation, along with representatives from local enterprises, convened at the Hilton Rotterdam Hotel for a workshop aimed at tapping into European trade opportunities. The event was organized by the Ministry of Commerce with support from the European Union and Germany.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the workshop, held on October 22 in Rotterdam, was co-led by H.E. Someth Somnea and H.E. Nam Lynal, Under Secretaries of State of the Ministry of Commerce. It aimed to provide Cambodian agri-food exporters with critical market intelligence to establish and expand their presence in European markets, using the Netherlands as a strategic entry point.

The workshop focused on enhancing the capacity of Cambodian enterprises to enter international markets more effectively. It provided information on market trends, consumer demand analysis, and buyer expectations to enhance competitiveness and expand market opportunities for Cambodian products, especially in the Netherlands and the European Union.

The Undersecretaries of State praised the dedication of Cambodian exhibitors at SIAL Paris and highlighted the importance of active buyer follow-ups. They emphasized leveraging the Netherlands' strategic position as a 'Gateway to Europe' to upgrade value chains, meet rigorous standards, and expand exports of key Cambodian agri-food products like cashews, dried mangoes, and pepper.

Ms. Barbara Niemans, Secretary General of the Dutch Dried Fruit Association, presented on market trends, buyer demands, and import regulatory standards in the Dutch and European markets. She provided strategic inputs to Cambodian enterprises, particularly in the cashew, dried mango, and pepper sectors, for expanding market share in Europe through the Netherlands.

Additionally, Mr. Jim Fitzpatrick, an international market expert, facilitated a debriefing and evaluation discussion on the SIAL exhibition participation. The focus was on reviewing progress, buyer feedback, and using market intelligence to develop strategies for tracking orders and responding to international market trends efficiently.