Machinery is used to begin foundation work for Unique Noble Trading Co Ltd’s cashew nut processing factory in Kampong Thom province. Supplied
The export of processed cashew nuts from Cambodia to international markets is set to rise significantly from early 2025, following the launch of a cashew nut processing factory in Kampong Thom province. Unique Noble Trading Co Ltd, a locally owned company, began construction of the facility on December 15.
Situated on a 20-hectare site in Sala Visay commune, Prasat Balang district, the project comprises four factories: a cashew nut processing plant, an oil extraction facility for shells, a fertiliser production plant using by-products and a factory manufacturing cashew processing machinery. Once fully operational, the project is expected to employ around 400 workers.
Uon Silot, president of the Cashew nut Association of Cambodia (CAC), told The Post on December 17 that the country’s cashew industry, particularly in Kampong Thom, has seen significant advancements in cultivation, harvesting and exports of processed nuts over the past year.
He said the province is a key production hub, accounting for approximately 30% of the country’s total cashew production.
“The investment climate in Cambodia, combined with the government’s policies and the establishment of agro-industrial parks, is encouraging investors to expand cashew cultivation and processing,” Silot said.
Unique Noble Trading chairman Pin Phiroum (centre) at the groundbreaking ceremony for their new cashew processing facilities. Supplied
He noted that the factory, with a daily processing capacity of 30 tonnes, is expected to begin operations in March 2025. Annual output will range between 5,000 and 12,000 tonnes of cashew.
The government has also approved the development of a cashew agro-industrial park in Kampong Thom, further cementing the province’s role as a key driver of industry growth.
In addition to its project in Kampong Thom, Silot said the company operates a mango processing factory in Kampong Speu province.
He noted that the country has 52 cashew processing enterprises, including six medium-sized factories with annual production capacities ranging from 7,000 to 140,000 tonnes. The remaining 48 are small-scale, family-run operations that do not operate at full capacity year-round.
At the groundbreaking ceremony for the company’s factory, provincial deputy governor Chea Vanchan hailed the investment as a strong example of public-private collaboration to advance the country’s cashew industry. He noted that the province’s abundant harvest makes it an ideal location for such a facility, enabling the company to source raw cashew nuts locally and from neighbouring areas for processing and export.
Unique Noble Trading chairman Pin Phiroum outlined the broader vision for the project, which includes additional facilities. He said that these will extract oil from cashew nut shells, convert processing waste into organic fertiliser for local farmers at affordable rates and produce cashew nut processing machinery.
Further bolstering the sector, CSNC Agriculture Co Ltd’s cashew nut processing factory is set to open in early 2025. The $12 million joint investment between Cambodia and Singapore, also located in Kampong Thom, will have the capacity to process 40 tonnes of cashew nuts per day – equivalent to around 12,000 tonnes annually.
The CAC reported that Cambodia produced approximately 850,000 tonnes of cashew nuts over the past 12 months, marking a 26.8% increase from 2023. Exports reached 815,000 tonnes, generating $1.15 billion in revenue – an impressive 31% rise.
