Cambodia’s cashew sector is on the brink of transformation, with Australia and Japan stepping in as key partners to help the Kingdom unlock greater value from one of its most promising agricultural exports. The two nations are collaborating to strengthen domestic processing capabilities, support smallholder farmers, and position Cambodian cashews as a high-quality global commodity.
From Exporting Raw to Creating Value
Despite being one of the world’s top cashew producers, Cambodia currently exports the vast majority of its cashew nuts in raw form. In 2024, the country produced 850,000 tonnes of raw cashew nuts, yet only 5% were processed locally. The rest—815,000 tonnes—were exported, mostly to Vietnam, generating $1.15 billion in export revenue. While impressive, this model has historically deprived Cambodia of the added value that comes from processing, branding, and exporting finished products.
Recognizing this gap, Australia and Japan have launched a complementary support programme to increase the Kingdom’s in-country processing and help build an integrated, sustainable value chain.
MIRARTH Agri Tech Leads Local Transformation
At the heart of this initiative is MIRARTH Agri Tech, a cashew processing company based in Kampong Thom province. With direct support from both governments, the company is pioneering efforts to increase local value addition.
- Japan has helped MIRARTH conduct feasibility studies, improve supply chain logistics, and identify opportunities to minimise waste, aligning with sustainability goals.
- Australia has provided business coaching, export readiness support, and facilitated participation in international events such as the 2025 World Cashew Conference, where MIRARTH secured preliminary trade agreements with global buyers.
The company plans to process 3,000 tonnes of cashews in 2025, with a long-term vision of a zero-waste production model that maximises economic and environmental efficiency.
Benefits for Farmers, Factories, and the Economy
This collaboration is not only about boosting exports—it’s about creating shared value throughout the entire supply chain.
By processing more cashews domestically, Cambodia stands to:
- Create jobs in rural areas, especially for women and youth
- Increase incomes for smallholder farmers through more stable and fairer pricing
- Enhance food safety standards and product traceability
- Foster innovation in agro-processing and waste utilisation (e.g. using shells and skins for biofuel or animal feed)
As the Australian Embassy in Cambodia noted:
“If more of this yield can be processed in Cambodia, the country can capture more value and generate more jobs and wealth.”
This approach reflects a larger commitment from both Australia and Japan to support sustainable, inclusive development in Cambodia.
The Bigger Picture: Cambodia’s Cashew Industry at a Glance
The Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC) reports that as of March 2025:
- Cambodia had 52 cashew processing enterprises, including 6 medium-sized factories with annual capacities ranging from 7,000 to 140,000 tonnes.
- The remaining 46 are small, family-run operations with limited processing capacity and seasonal activity.
- Cambodia is home to over 700,000 hectares of cashew plantations, of which 580,117 hectares are currently harvest-ready.
- Cashews are grown in almost every province, with major cultivation areas in Kampong Thom, Kratie, Ratanakiri, Stung Treng, Kampong Cham, Tboung Khmum, Preah Vihear, Siem Reap, Oddar Meanchey, Kampong Chhnang, and Mondulkiri.
This widespread distribution offers significant potential for job creation and rural development—if the country can transition from raw exports to value-added processing.
Cambodia’s Zero-Waste Cashew Vision
One of the more innovative elements of MIRARTH’s work is its zero-waste commitment. Cashew nut shells and husks, often treated as waste, can be repurposed into:
- Cashew Shell Oil (CNSL) used in industrial lubricants and coatings
- Organic compost to enrich agricultural soils
- Animal feed and biofuels, helping reduce energy costs in rural areas
Such practices not only improve profitability but also align with Cambodia’s green growth agenda and broader sustainability commitments under its climate strategy.
A Model for Other Agro-Industries
The success of this Australia–Japan–Cambodia partnership could serve as a blueprint for similar interventions in other key agricultural sectors, such as:
- Cassava
- Mangoes
- Rice
- Rubber
- Palm sugar
All of these industries face similar challenges—overreliance on raw exports, low domestic processing rates, and limited access to global markets.
Cambodia’s cashew industry is ripe for transformation. With international partners stepping in to help the country move up the value chain, the Kingdom is well-positioned to become not just a top producer of raw cashews, but a global supplier of high-quality, sustainably processed cashew products.
This model of shared investment, local leadership, and strategic capacity-building reflects a new era of development—where collaboration, not charity, powers progress. As Cambodia continues to modernise its agricultural sector, partnerships like this one offer a glimpse into a future where more value stays at home, and prosperity is shared more broadly.
