Phnom Penh, October 24, 2025 — Cambodia is stepping up efforts to transform itself from a raw cashew producer into a major exporter of high-quality processed cashew nuts, with a strong focus on expanding access to the European Union (EU) market. The government has set an ambitious target to export 25 percent of processed cashews by 2027, and 50 percent by 2032, as part of its long-term strategy to strengthen the country’s competitiveness in the global market.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Cambodia Cashew and Pepper Trade Forum under the theme “Unlocking EU Market Access” on October 23, Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul emphasized the importance of diversifying export destinations, particularly towards the EU — a market of more than 450 million consumers who prioritize high-quality and sustainable products.

“The European Union is indeed the destination for Cambodia’s quality goods,”
— Cham Nimul, Minister of Commerce.

Cham Nimul highlighted that expanding exports to the EU is not only about increasing market share but also about enhancing Cambodia’s national production standards, traceability systems, and certification processes to ensure the sustainable origin and quality of Cambodian agricultural products.

Germany Supports Cambodia’s Market Expansion

German Ambassador to Cambodia Stefan Messerer reiterated Germany’s strong support for Cambodia’s growing agro-industrial exports, calling the EU one of the world’s largest and most demanding markets with a combined economic value of €16 trillion.

“These markets value products that are ethical, sustainable, and traceable. This is exactly what Cambodia can offer with its community-based, original production,”
— Stefan Messerer, German Ambassador to Cambodia.

Messerer noted that Germany serves as a gateway for Cambodian products to reach the broader European market. Once Cambodian cashews and pepper meet German quality standards, they can gain consumer trust across the continent.

He added that partnerships with German companies, known for quality and innovation, could help Cambodia move from exporting raw materials to producing high-value, branded products — turning Cambodian cashews into not only a commercial success but also a symbol of the country’s agricultural heritage.

“German companies can help Cambodia transition from raw exports to value-added, branded products,” Messerer said. “Cambodian cashews have the potential to represent the pride and heritage of Cambodian farmers.”

Industry Leaders Welcome the Move

Silot Uon, President of the Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC), welcomed the government’s push to expand exports to Europe. He noted that while Cambodia’s cashew exports are growing rapidly, domestic processing capacity remains limited, which restricts the volume of processed nuts available for export.

“At present, the volume of processed cashews exported to Europe is still small due to limited local processing capacity,” Silot Uon said. “However, Cambodian cashews have already reached markets in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. A Spanish company also intends to ship the first-ever container of Cambodian cashew kernels to Spain.”

Cashews: A Growing Economic Pillar

Cashew is one of Cambodia’s most promising agro-industrial crops, playing a crucial role in both national economic growth and rural livelihoods. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, cashew cultivation is projected to cover 600,000 hectares by 2025, with an annual yield of over 1 million tons.

In the first nine months of 2025, Cambodia earned more than $1.4 billion from cashew exports, representing a 25 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024.

The leading importers of  Cambodian cashews are Vietnam, the UAE, Switzerland, China, and Malaysia, while major buyers of processed cashews include the UAE, Belgium, Brunei, Switzerland, and Germany.

Expanding Global Reach

Beyond Europe, Cambodia’s processed cashew products have also found success in 18,320 convenience stores in Japan and 6,000 large supermarkets in France. The Ministry of Commerce is currently exploring opportunities to enter two additional markets, while continuing to promote domestic sales through supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, and the CambodiaTrade e-commerce platform.

As Cambodia continues to expand its processing capabilities, improve standards, and strengthen partnerships with global importers, the country is positioning itself as a key player in the international cashew industry — with the European market serving as a cornerstone of its export ambitions.

Source: Thmey Thmey News