Phnom Penh: Kampong Thom province continues to solidify its position as the heart of Cambodia’s cashew industry, contributing nearly 30% of the country’s total raw cashew nut output. This figure is projected to grow further with the upcoming Cashew Agricultural Industrial Park, a major initiative aimed at transforming the province into a regional processing and export hub.
According to the Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC), Kampong Thom currently has over 147,000 hectares under cashew cultivation, representing about 21% of Cambodia’s total 700,000 hectares. The province produces more than 220,000 tonnes of raw cashew nuts annually, with an average yield of 1.5 tonnes per hectare.
CAC president Uon Silot said on October 8 that Kampong Thom has rightfully earned its title as the “Cashew King” of Cambodia. He added that the forthcoming industrial park—announced by Prime Minister Hun Manet in February 2025—will enhance cashew processing capacity, create jobs, and add greater value to exports.
Despite Cambodia’s high production levels, a significant share of raw cashew nuts continues to be exported to neighboring countries, particularly Vietnam, due to limited domestic processing infrastructure and storage capacity. This results in lost revenue and missed opportunities for local value addition.
Unofficial data show that in the first eight months of 2025, Cambodia exported approximately 941,000 tonnes of raw cashews worth about USD 1.4 billion. While a portion of these exports reached China, Vietnam remains the largest destination.
Nationwide, Cambodia maintains around 700,000 hectares of cashew plantations—580,000 of which are currently productive, with another 120,000 newly planted. The country produces between 800,000 and 1 million tonnes of raw nuts each year.
As of early 2025, Cambodia is home to 52 cashew processing enterprises, including six medium-sized factories capable of processing between 7,000 and 140,000 tonnes annually. The remaining 46 are small-scale, family-run operations that operate seasonally.
Silot emphasized that with strategic investments in processing, storage, and logistics, Cambodia could significantly expand its cashew export value chain and position Kampong Thom as a leading cashew-processing hub in Southeast Asia.
Also read, Cambodia and India Explore Deeper Agricultural Cooperation with Focus on Cashew Sector
