AKP Phnom Penh, October 24, 2026 --

Minister of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation H.E. Hem Vanndy called for greater investment in processing technology and quality standards to help Cambodia capture more value from its agricultural production and strengthen export competitiveness.

Speaking at the Cambodia Agriculture Forum & Exhibition 2026 (CAFE26), he said agricultural exports remained dominated by raw or semi-processed products, generating limited added value and leaving producers exposed to international price fluctuations.

“Cambodia must transform from a producer of raw agricultural commodities into a hub for quality, safe and technologically advanced agri-food processing,” he said.

Heightened competition and the gradual loss of preferential trade treatment following Cambodia’s graduation from least developed country status would make domestic capabilities increasingly important. Access to higher-value markets would also depend on international standards, traceability and efficient supply chains.

The Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI) is strengthening national quality infrastructure and promoting modern drying, cold storage and packaging technologies, the Minister added. Its priorities include developing agro-industrial clusters with shared infrastructure and helping smaller businesses become suppliers to multinational food processors.

Minister Vanndy urged businesses to make long-term investments in processing, branding and packaging. He also called on development partners to support laboratory capacity and technology transfer, and on government agencies to streamline procedures and facilitate agro-industrial investment.

AKP-MISTI