Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia officials attend a training in Africa on March 20. Supplied
The Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC), representing both Cambodia and Asia, is participating in the Cashew Master Training Programme in Africa to bolster its production chain.
CAC vice-president Suy Kokthean reported on March 20 that 10 African countries are taking part in the workshop as well, aimed at strengthening manufacturing networks in the cultivation and processing sectors.
He viewed this as a beneficial opportunity for the association to gain additional training.
“This event, being held from March 18-22, significantly contributes to motivating our farmers and processors towards a stable and sustainable cashew production chain in Cambodia,” he stated.
Kokthean explained that the training promotes deeper collaboration between producers and their respective nations.
He noted that Africa, similar to Cambodia, is also a producer with less processing capability.
“As producers, it’s crucial for us to exchange experiences and reinforce each other, maximising benefits for growers. This event, organised by GIZ Move, is of great importance for cashew-rich countries like ours,” he remarked.
In early February, the CAC signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the African Cashew Alliance (ACA), aiming to enhance cooperation in cultivation and marketing, as Cambodia is one of the world’s largest producers of the commodity.
The MoU also facilitated the association’s participation in the training course.
Its objectives include: exchanging studies between African cashew-producing countries and Cambodia; facilitating access to farms and processing facilities; participating in study forums and conferences; assisting in training programmes; exchanging experts and technicians; organising instructional courses, seminars and lectures and science and technology meets.
Im Rachna, spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, mentioned that cultivation and processing have high potential in improving farmers’ livelihoods and contributing to the country’s agricultural sector and overall economic growth.
She also noted that the ministry, along with the government, has implemented various mechanisms and policy programmes to support investors and agricultural communities.
Rachna said these initiatives aim to enable them to produce and supply raw cashew to companies investing in Cambodia.
“For the cashew markets that Cambodia exports to, our target includes 11 major countries. Vietnam is a large market for Cambodian cashew products, followed by Thailand, China, India, Japan, Bangladesh, Taiwan, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, South Korea and the US,” she stated.
According to the spokeswoman, in 2023 Cambodia produced a total of 710,000 tonnes of cashew nuts, with 650,000 tonnes exported to international markets, and the remaining produce purchased by local enterprises for domestic processing and direct export.
Rachna noted that specifically, six Japanese companies have been exporting Cambodian cashew products to Japan.
She emphasised the importance of financiers to directly assess and study the potential of products in any country they wish to invest in, which is why the ministry openly invites all Japanese investors interested in establishing processing plants to visit Cambodia.
