Innovative young Cambodian food scientists have something sweet to offer the global candy market.

Experts are diligently producing exotically flavoured candy that is now sold in the local and international markets, where demand for confectionery is soaring.

In their laboratories, they experiment with local foodstuffs found in rural provinces, such as tamarind, Java plums and green mangoes, to produce hard candies with unique tastes for the sweet-toothed.

Last September, their company Aprati Foods (Cambodia) Ltd, began exporting “Frutati” and “Mocati” hard candies to the US – which grabbed the industry’s attention and signalled the entry of a new player in the global market.

Aprati‘s food scientists recently wrapped up a “Flavour Exploration Tour” of several of the Kingdom’s provinces, including Battambang, Pursat, and Kampong Chhnang.

Their mission was to explore local wild forest fruits currently in season.

Young Cambodian food scientists are making waves in the confectionery business. Photo supplied

Many of the talented young group are graduates from the Institute of Technology of Cambodia, the Royal University of Agriculture and Mean Chey University.

“The team will continue to visit the countryside in the coming months to discover new, authentic and imaginative flavours.

“This unbridled spirit for adventure, a shared thirst for inspiration and a lifelong passion for learning all bode well for this young team of Cambodians,” Aprati’s Knowledge Creation director Benjamin Pedro told The Post.

All of which points to the start of another sunrise industry in the Kingdom.

Cambodia has all the right ingredients to be an interesting player in the world of candy making.

The Aprati Foods (Cambodia) Ltd factory produces around 150 tonnes of candy annually. Photo supplied

Abundant raw materials, an industrious young workforce, growing disposable income and an untapped confectionery manufacturing sector could catapult candy production to new heights.

Located in the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone, Aprati Foods is an affiliate of the US-based candy manufacturer American Licorice – which has been producing confectionery since 1914 – giving the company additional leverage in the competitive sector.

The Cambodian sweet-maker produces three main flavours of hard candy brands – Mocati (coffee-inspired flavours), Aprati (cool mint and menthol) and Frutati (uniquely Cambodian with authentic fruit flavours).

Annually, Aprati Foods produces 150 tonnes of candy, which is largely sold in the local market and the US.

The US confectionery market is expected to reach $19.6 billion by 2025, according to Grand View Research, Inc report.

Local fruits add value to the candy made at Aprati Foods. Photo supplied

“Aprati Foods is currently developing a candy product made from locally produced palm sugar as part of its commitment to support local enterprise and Cambodian agriculture.

“This will further extend to other locally sourced raw materials in the foreseeable future as supply chains become more accessible and local supplies increasingly meet the company’s stringent quality standards.

“Aprati Foods is now an industry forerunner in its approach to confectionery product development. Its team of local food scientists and process engineers collaborate regularly to introduce ground-breaking improvements to the candy-making process.

“This helps ensure the manufacture of consistently high-quality, shelf-stable candies for the consumer,” Pedro said.