CAC News
Kampong Thom, October 24, 2025 — Cambodia’s cashew sector took another major step toward strengthening domestic trade and promoting sustainable growth with the successful convening of the Policy Consultation and Second Business-to-Business (B2B) Forum on October 23, 2025, at the Kampong Thom Polytechnic Institute.
The event, designed to foster direct engagement and collaboration among key stakeholders in the cashew value chain, brought together representatives from government institutions, agricultural cooperatives, cashew processors, traders, and international buyers.
The forum was presided over by Dr. Chay Chim, Director of the Department of Agro-Industry, who also served as a keynote speaker. He was joined by Mr. Has Piseth, Deputy Director of the Department, and Mr. Silot Uon , President of the Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC), alongside around 50 participants representing processing companies, producer groups, and raw cashew nut traders.
Forum Aims to Strengthen Domestic Trade and Improve Standards
The main objective of the 2nd Business Matching Forum was to address key challenges within the cashew sector, particularly concerning:
- The buying and selling of raw cashew nuts (RCN);
- The quality and standards of RCN; and
- The implementation and procedures for contract farming.
Discussions focused on reducing the outflow of roughly 30 percent of Cambodia’s raw cashew nuts to foreign markets by promoting domestic trade and processing. Stakeholders also exchanged views on building sustainable supply chains, establishing long-term relationships between producers and buyers, and ensuring consistent product quality.
Dr. Chay Chim emphasized that the forum plays a crucial role in strengthening Cambodia’s cashew ecosystem.
“This consultation provides a platform to connect farmers, processors, and buyers, while also promoting the formalization of trade practices and contract farming in the sector,”
— Dr. Chay Chim, Director of the Department of Agro-Industry.
Progress in Partnership and Market Commitments
The event resulted in tangible business commitments. Eight companies pledged to purchase a total of 104,000 metric tons of raw cashew nuts, while the Department of Agro-Industry announced plans to attract another buyer capable of purchasing an additional 40,000 metric tons.
To help stabilize domestic prices, the CAC also emphasized the importance of storing at least 25 percent (around 300,000 metric tons) of raw cashews during the peak season.
According to CAC President Silot Uon , the forum marks a vital milestone for Cambodia’s cashew sector.
“This B2B forum helps bridge the gap between farmers and buyers, creating new opportunities for contract farming and more stable markets for Cambodian cashews,”
— Silot Uon , President of CAC.
Agricultural cooperatives expressed strong interest in connecting with responsible and reliable buyers, while enterprises highlighted the need for strict quality assurance and control in the RCN supply chain. Discussions also covered trade terms, with participants favoring the ex-works model and bank transfers as the most reliable payment method.
Call for Improved Export Procedures
Exporters at the event urged relevant authorities to streamline key certification processes, particularly the issuance of Phytosanitary Certificates by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and Certificates of Origin from the Ministry of Commerce. Faster certification, they noted, would improve export efficiency and enhance Cambodia’s competitiveness in regional and global markets.
Cashew: A Driver of Rural Growth
The cashew sector remains a cornerstone of Cambodia’s rural economic development, providing employment and income for thousands of smallholder farmers. Through the continued collaboration of the Department of Agro-Industry, CAC, and private sector partners, Cambodia aims to enhance its processing capacity, expand market access, and strengthen its reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality, sustainably produced cashews.
