Phnom penh: Cambodia’s first Cashew and Pepper Trade Forum kicked off today 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.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the forum is jointly organised by the Ministry of Commerce (MOC), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), and the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI), together with the European Union (EU), Germany, the Cambodia Cashew Federation (CCF), and the Cambodia Pepper and Spice Federation (CPSF). The event 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 and Innovation, noted that Cambodia has adopted one national standard for cashew and four standards for pepper products. The cashew standard is under review to meet the evolving needs of international markets. He urged stakeholders to develop more standards for cashew and pepper to meet both national and international market needs and continue investing in transportation, storage, and processing facilities to increase the added value of these products.
H.E. Mrs. CHAM Nimul, Minister of Commerce, highlighted Cambodia’s efforts to leverage preferential trade arrangements, Free Trade Agreements, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to expand access to new markets and reinforce its reputation as a credible trading partner. She emphasized Cambodia’s commitment to strengthening its position as a leading producer and exporter of high-quality cashew and pepper.
Cambodia has been collaborating 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, praised the potential of Cambodian cashew and pepper to be transformed into powerful export assets and expressed the EU’s support for Cambodian farmers and SMEs.
Germany also plays a significant role in unlocking new opportunities for Cambodia’s cashew and pepper industries. H.E. Stefan Messerer, Ambassador of Germany to Cambodia, pointed out Germany’s rising demand for high-quality, responsibly sourced goods and expressed confidence in Cambodia’s potential to meet this demand. Germany’s expertise and advanced technologies in agro-processing and certification are expected to elevate Cambodian products to meet global standards.
The 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.