Cambodia Fresh Farm plans to export processed tilapia to Japan in 2024 with support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
The company is working to achieve the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) standard, a globally recognised food safety certification that exporters often find difficult to obtain.
Chao Suosdey, manager of Kandal-based enterprise, stated on September 17 that the company aims to meet Japanese export guidelines next year after setting up a new tilapia-raising facility.
“We relocated to a more spacious site near a river in Kandal’s Ponhea Leu district, ideal for aquaculture. We’ve already secured the Cambodia Quality Seal (CQS) and are now working towards HACCP credentials,” he said.
Suosdey added that water scarcity during the dry season could pose challenges to fish breeding. Despite this, he noted a significant surge in domestic orders over the last year, particularly from foreign restaurants and supermarkets.
Agriculture ministry spokesperson Im Rachna said the government would continue to provide technical support to the company. She urged all farms to improve food safety measures to meet international requirements.
“Compliance with HACCP or CQS is essential for gaining access to external markets,” she added.
Thong Ra, UNIDO’s national food safety expert, said the organisation is well-placed to export not just to Japan, but also to European markets if it meets the criteria.
“Their processing facilities are already up to code; they now need to focus on documentation and monitoring systems,” he added.
The CQS was recently launched to boost trade in fishery products. Ra mentioned that the ministry, in partnership with UNIDO, is considering extending the CQS certification to other agricultural sectors based on its success.
