Cambodia’s first Cashew Forum promotes for the potential of the Cashew Nut Value Chain
The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) , in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF), Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI), alongside development partners and stakeholders, organized the “Cashew Forum” in Kampong Thom Province on December 6-7, 2023. Adopting the theme "Together We Promote the Potential of Cambodia's Cashew" the event has brought together stakeholders from the cashew sector. It also features an exhibition of cashew products and processing equipment, facilitate business matching opportunities, and include the organization of workshops.
The forum was jointly sponsored by the European Union and Germany. It was led by the acting Minister from MOC and Secretaries of State from MAFF and MISTI, joined by the European Union Ambassador and the German Ambassador. Attendees included representatives from the council of Governors of Kampong Thom Province, Preah Vihear Province, Kampong Cham, Stung Treng, and Siem Reap, as well as relevant development partners, members of the Cambodian Cashew Federation, the Cambodian Cashew Association, and various stakeholders in the cashew sector. The expected total participation for the event is approximately 550 individuals.
This forum marks an important milestone, being organized after the adoption of the National Policy on Cashew 2022-2027. This policy was approved at the Plenary Meeting of the Council of Ministers on January 13, 2023, and officially launched on June 14, 2023. Cashew, recognized as an industrial crop with significant potential for Cambodia, has earned a notable reputation for its organic cultivation and acknowledged quality in terms of taste and grain size. Presently, Cambodia exports over 90% of its raw cashew nuts to international markets.
The forum aims to enhance awareness among the public, traders, and entrepreneur, both domestic and international, about the potential and opportunities presented by Cambodian cashew. It seeks to draw investors to the cashew processing sector, thereby adding value to the cashew production chain and serving local, regional, and global markets. This initiative is expected to create employment opportunities and contribute to national economic growth.
H.E. Nguon Rattanak, Governor of Kampong Thom Province provided an overview of the overall situation in the province, with a specific focus on the cashew sector. The province boasts a total cultivated area of approximately 145,000 hectares dedicated to cashew cultivation. Furthermore, Kampong Thom is home to seven cashew processing enterprises and 23 dryers, contributing to an annual output of around 200,000 tons of raw cashew nuts. This output represents about 30% of the national total. H.E. Nguon Rattanak also reiterated the commitment of the provincial administration to actively participate in the implementation of the National Policy on Cashew 2022-2027.
H.E. Stefan Anton MESSERER, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Kingdom of Cambodia said “The Cambodian cashew sector holds a huge potential of development, not only in the processing industry, but also in, employment, marketing and international trade cooperation. Together with the private sector, international investments and a strong public sector, we believe these potentials will be further developed to be stronger, climate resilient, competitive, and sustainable. The German Federal Republic, in partnership with the European Union, will further assist the cashew value chain and enhance Cambodia's agricultural sector.”
H.E. Igor DRIESMANS, Ambassador of the European Union in Cambodia, “the European Union will promote climate resilient and sustainable agriculture practices, improving quality production and processing capacity, and trade facilitation to assist Cambodia exporting its products including cashew to international markets, including the EU. Together with Germany, we will continue to work closely with MoC, MAFF and MISTI for the implementation of the National Cashew Policy.”
H.E. Touch Bun Hour, Secretary of State of MAFF highlighted the commitment to implementing the 5th and 6th policy programs for the agricultural sector, as outlined by the Royal Government in the seventh mandate. The Ministry aims to ensure that Cambodia maximizes the benefits of processing cashew nuts locally for export by enhancing the value through added-value storage methods.
H.E Sun Seng Huot, Secretary of State of MISTI, mentioned the Ministry's initiatives to enhance the processing of the cashew sector, establishing relevant standards for cashew products and urged stakeholders to give due attention and adhere to these established standards.
During the event, H.E. Kem Sithon, Acting Minister of the MoC, reflected on the esteemed guidance of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, former Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia. He reiterated the former Prime Minister's aspiration to foster development and establish Cambodia as the world's leading exporter of cashew nuts. His Excellency emphasized this strategic visions in the seventh mandate of the Royal Government of Cambodia, guided by the forward-thinking and pragmatic vision of Samdech Moha Bovorthipadi Hun Manet , Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, continues to prioritize and actively foster the development of Cambodia's cashew sector. Furthermore, His Excellency also detailed the ongoing efforts of the Ministry of Commerce to diversify markets. This includes engaging in negotiations to establish bilateral, regional, and global free trade agreements, alongside continuous modernization of public service provisions and facilitating trade processes.
It's noteworthy that this forum has garnered support and attracted interest from the public, particularly from stakeholders in the cashew sector, relevant ministries, institutions, and development partners. Such forums are planned to be organised annuallyl, with the objective of continuously enhancing the reputation and promoting further development of the Cambodian cashew sector.
Additionally, the representatives at the forum reaffirmed its dedication to maintaining close collaboration with ministries, institutions, sub-national administrations, development partners, and all stakeholders. This concerted effort aims to collectively execute the action plan outlined in the National Policy on Cashew 2022-2027. The goal is to realize the vision of developing the production, processing, and marketing of cashews in a competitive and sustainable manner, aligning with the economic diversification goals and work priorities of the Royal Government.