PHNOM PENH, September 10, 2025 – Cambodia and India have deepened their agricultural cooperation following a strategic meeting between senior officials, creating new opportunities for foreign investment in the Kingdom’s growing cashew processing industry.
H.E. Touch Bunhour, Secretary of State at Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, met with Dr. Sudhanshu, Secretary-General of India’s Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), on September 8 at the Ministry headquarters in Phnom Penh.
The high-level discussions focused on expanding bilateral trade partnerships, with particular emphasis on Cambodia’s potential as a key supplier of raw cashew nuts to India’s processing industry.
Kampong Thom Province Selected for Cashew Industrial Park
During the meeting, officials outlined plans to establish a cashew industrial park (CIP) in Kampong Thom province, which has been identified as having exceptional potential for cashew cultivation and processing operations.
“Cambodia is ready to welcome investors in cashew processing and export,” stated H.E. Touch Bunhour, highlighting the country’s production of premium cashew varieties including M23, M10, H09, and IM4, which have demonstrated strong appeal in international markets.
The proposed industrial park represents a significant opportunity for businesses seeking to establish processing facilities in Cambodia’s expanding agricultural sector, with government support for export-oriented investments.
Major B2B Event Connects 26 Indian Companies with Cambodian Enterprises
Parallel to the diplomatic meetings, the Commerce Department of the Indian Embassy in Phnom Penh organized “B2B Interaction 2025: Agriculture and Processed Food Products,” bringing together 26 Indian companies with Cambodian enterprises across multiple sectors including beef, buffalo meat, rice, cashew nuts, and food processing.
The Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC) participated with ten member companies, demonstrating the organized approach to developing international market connections.
“We aim to reduce dependence on a single market,” explained Silot Uon, CAC Chairman. “While domestic processing is still developing, expanding to new markets will help stabilize prices for farmers and ensure sustainable growth.”
The association is strategically focusing on India and China, the world’s two largest consumers of cashew nuts, as primary export destinations.
Strategic Market Diversification Initiative
The partnership comes as Cambodia actively works to diversify its agricultural export markets, reducing reliance on traditional trading partners while developing value-added processing capabilities.
The Indian delegation is scheduled to continue discussions with Cambodian private sector representatives and conduct field visits to Kampong Thom province to assess investment opportunities and promote deeper cooperation in the emerging cashew industry.
Investment Climate Favorable for Agricultural Processing
The strengthened Cambodia-India partnership signals favorable conditions for international businesses considering market entry into Cambodia’s agricultural sector. Government officials emphasized readiness to support foreign investment in:
- Cashew processing and value-added production facilities
- Agricultural technology and equipment
- Export-oriented food processing operations
- Industrial infrastructure development
Growing Regional Trade Opportunities
Cambodia’s strategic position between major Asian markets offers significant advantages for agricultural processing businesses, providing access to large consumer bases in India and China while maintaining competitive production costs.
The partnership is expected to drive increased investment flows, enhance agricultural trade volumes, and create new market opportunities for Cambodian products in international markets.
Industry observers note that the timing of this partnership coincides with growing global demand for premium cashew products and increasing recognition of Cambodia’s agricultural potential in regional supply chains.
The collaboration between Cambodia and India represents a broader trend of Southeast Asian nations strengthening agricultural trade relationships to capitalize on growing regional food security demands and export opportunities.
For more information about Cambodia market entry opportunities and agricultural investment, visit www.cambodiamarketentry.com
