The 10th World Cashew Conference is set to be a groundbreaking event, attracting over 500 industry insiders from across the globe to convene in Cambodia’s Siem Reap province from February 1-3. The Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC) proudly announced this significant gathering during a press and study visit on November 29, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Commerce, and the EU.
Reach Ra, the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce, expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming conference, emphasizing its role in boosting awareness of the vast potential of cashew nuts among the public, traders, and businesses locally and internationally. The collaboration between the ministry, the Cambodia Cashew Federation (CCF), and a private company aims to attract business partners, buyers, investors, and exporters, fostering competitiveness and promoting resilient and inclusive economic growth.
Suy Kokthean, the Vice-President of CAC, highlighted the organization’s successful participation in the previous World Cashew Conference in Dubai in February 2023. He sees the upcoming conference as another opportunity to showcase Cambodia’s exceptional cashews to a global audience. Kokthean emphasized Cambodia’s position as the second-largest cashew producer globally, trailing only behind Ivory Coast in Africa. He noted that Cambodia’s focus on quality is a driving force behind efforts to enhance processing and add value to cashew production.
Kokthean expressed aspirations to transform Kampong Thom into Cambodia’s leading agro-industrial province for cashew crops, leveraging its status as the largest cashew-growing province. In support of these goals, the agriculture ministry, CAC, and the Kampong Thom provincial administration will jointly organize a National Cashew Forum from December 6-7, serving as a precursor to the World Cashew Conference in February.
Im Rachna, spokesperson for the agriculture ministry, shared insights into the collaborative efforts to showcase Cambodia’s cashew production chain during the press and study visit, sponsored by the EU. The visit, aligning with the National Cashew Policy 2022-2027 issued by the commerce ministry, aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the agriculture ministry’s efforts to promote production and prepare for the upcoming World Cashew Conference.
Highlighting Cambodia’s achievements, the CAC reported that in the first 10 months of 2023, the Kingdom produced an impressive 651,000 tonnes of raw cashew nuts. Of these, 615,000 tonnes, valued at $831 million, were exported to Vietnam, reflecting the country’s strong position in the global cashew market. Despite a slight decrease from the same period in 2022, the average price of dried nuts stood at a competitive $1,658 per tonne.
In October alone, dried nuts fetched improved prices of between 7,000 and 7,500 riel per kilogram, or $1,900 per tonne, marking a significant positive shift and showcasing the resilience and potential of Cambodia’s cashew industry. As the nation gears up for the World Cashew Conference, these developments underscore Cambodia’s commitment to fostering growth, innovation, and international collaboration in the cashew sector.
