Cashew nut processing at a factory in Kampong Thom province in November. Hong Menea
Cambodia plans to increase its export of processed cashew nuts to the Japanese market to approximately 100 tonnes this year as a result of expanded processing capacity, according to Chey Sambor Cashew Nut Processing Handicrafts. Chey Sambor is currently the sole exporter of the Kingdom’s processed cashew nuts to Japan.
In Lai Huot, owner of the processing facility based in Kampong Thom province, told The Post on January 16 that the expansion of her enterprise is progressing steadily, under the investment of Mirath Agri Tech Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Japan’s Mirath Holding Co.
She said completion is expected by mid-2024.
Currently, the facility boasts two cashew processing machines, funded by Top Planning Japan Co Ltd (TPJ).
“We anticipate that from mid-2024, Chey Sambor’s cashew nut exports to Japan will range between 20 to 30 tonnes per month, an increase from the previous export of only 9 tonnes in 2023. Japan is our primary market. Historically, the official export of cashew nuts to Japan was solely conducted through TPJ,” she said.
Lai Hout said her company’s first export to Japan was in 2021, totalling 30 tonnes and increased to 40 tonnes in 2022.
She explained that due to Japan’s requirements for legal and standardised packaging, exports dropped in 2023.
“After coordination from the government and exporters, I expect that from mid-2024 onwards, the export of processed cashew nuts to Japan will be between 20 to 30 tonnes every month,” she added.
In May 2023, Lai Huot claimed her facility could process almost 100 tonnes of cashew nuts per month, but actual processing was limited by customer orders.
She said her enterprise has since been contacted by companies looking to export to Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.
Uon Silot, president of the Cashew nuts Association of Cambodia (CAC), said that while Cambodian processed cashew is exported worldwide, Chey Sambor is the only company exporting to Japan.
“We hope that exports of processed cashew nuts to Japan will increase in the future. Currently, Cambodian cashew products are stocked in OK and AEON supermarkets in Japan, which have over 300 branches,” he said.
Silot also noted that the processing factory in Kampong Cham province, owned by Welwilling Agricultural Technology (Cambodia) Co Ltd, has the largest production capacity in the country, processing about 7,000 tonnes per year.
He added that Cambodian processed nuts sold in the OK supermarket in Japan’s Kanagawa Prefecture are priced at approximately 1,615 yen (about $11) for 500g.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Cambodia exported 425,977 tonnes of cashew in 2023, a decrease of 9.96%.
“For 2024, I believe the export of raw cashew kernels will continue to decline, but this is not a negative indication. It will be supplanted by an increase in the capacity of local handicrafts and factories, enabling Cambodia to achieve higher added value compared to exporting unprocessed products,” he said.
“More than 90% of Cambodia’s raw cashew nut products are purchased by traders for sale in Vietnam,” he added.
The government, through the Ministry of Commerce, officially announced the National Policy on Cashew Nuts for 2022-27 in June 2023.
The strategy aims to develop production, processing and competitive cashew markets, ensuring sustainability and economic diversification.
It also seeks to establish the Kingdom as a key producer and supplier of cashew products for local, regional and global markets, as per the commerce ministry.
