October 24, 2025
PHNOM PENH – Minister of Commerce Cham Nimol has shared how the government and the private sector are working diligently to transform Cambodia from a producer to an exporter of high-quality cashew nuts and pepper, while also strengthening its competitiveness in the global marketplace.
She addressed the October 23 opening ceremony of the “Cambodia Cashew and Pepper Trade Forum 2025”, themed “Spotlight: Unlock EU Market Access”, in Phnom Penh.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation; Touch Bunhor, secretary of state at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries; Igor Driesmans, EU ambassador; and Stefan Messerer, German ambassador, along with representatives from relevant ministries, development partners, and national and international guests.
In her opening remarks, Nimol explained that the forum aimed to bring together all relevant stakeholders, especially producers, processors, exporters, and domestic and international investors, to share knowledge and promote investment in value-added processing that will create more value in the Cambodian cashew and pepper sectors, along with exploring market opportunities for expansion into the EU.
She emphasised that all stakeholders are working tirelessly to increase the presence of Cambodian products in the international market.
“Cambodia has made and is continuing to make efforts to shift from being a producing country to an exporter of high-quality cashew nuts and pepper. In this regard, the Cambodian government has focused on enhancing competitiveness in the global market,” she said.
“Through close cooperation with all stakeholders, the commerce ministry is further strengthening exports, ensuring quality assurance, certifications and implementing traceability systems that align with European market standards,” she added.
Recognising emerging trends in the cashew nut and pepper sectors, she highlighted how the ministry, in close cooperation with relevant government institutions, development partners and the private sector, has formulated the National Cashew Policy 2022-2027 and is currently preparing a draft policy for Cambodian pepper.
These efforts aim to promote the development of production, processing and markets for cashews and pepper to ensure competitiveness, sustainability and the creation of economic momentum, transforming Cambodia into a key producer and supplier for both domestic and global markets.
She also highlighted several key strategies, particularly those which focus on taking advantage of agreements such as Free Trade Agreements and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), expanding into new markets and building trust as a reliable trade partner.
“The commerce ministry will continue to work hard to ensure that Cambodian agricultural products, especially cashew nuts and pepper, are trusted and high-value products in the global market,” she continued.
Nimol encouraged all stakeholders to continue to collaborate to promote and enhance Cambodia’s agricultural production, processing, and export capacity.