AKP Phnom Penh, June 26, 2026 --

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) on June 25 organised a forum in Kampong Thom provincial city aimed at addressing key challenges in cashew cultivation, collection, processing, and export, as well as identifying solutions to strengthen Cambodia’s cashew value chain.

The forum brought together 61 participants, including H.E. Meas Piseth, Secretary of State at MAFF, officials and advisers under the ASPIRE-AT programme, and representatives from the Kampong Thom Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Participants also included representatives from the Agricultural and Rural Development Bank, the Farmers and Nature Network, as well as cashew farmers and agricultural communities from Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, Kampong Thom, Kampong Cham, and Thbong Khmum provinces. Representatives from the Cambodian Cashew Federation and cashew collection, processing, and export companies also attended.

Discussions focused on government agricultural policies, MAFF strategies and ASPIRE-AT implementation, farmer challenges, ARDB loan procedures, buyer requirements, phytosanitary standards, contract farming, market access, export standards, and strengthening partnerships and competitiveness across the value chain.

As part of the programme, participants visited Santana Company, which is engaged in cashew cultivation, collection, processing, and sales for both domestic and international markets.

Participants expressed appreciation for the forum, noting that it improved understanding, strengthened business linkages, and enhanced cooperation across the cashew value chain.

The ASPIRE-AT programme is implemented by MAFF with support from the Royal Government of Cambodia and grants from IFAD, the European Union, the European Investment Bank, the Global Environment Facility, and South-South Triangular Cooperation, aiming to promote agricultural development, trade, and inclusive growth.

According to the Cashew Association of Cambodia, the country’s cashew sector reached a historic milestone in 2025, generating US$1.5 billion in revenue from raw cashew nut exports.

By Sum Kosal