PHNOM PENH, October 18, 2024 — Cambodia has emerged as Asia’s fourth-largest and the world’s tenth-largest cassava exporter, with cultivation spanning 60,000 to 80,000 hectares. This was revealed by Oknha Chray Son, President of the Cassava Federation of Cambodia, during a meeting with Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation.

The meeting, held earlier this week, focused on addressing industry challenges and exploring strategies to unlock cassava’s economic potential through domestic processing and value-added production.

Oknha Chray Son highlighted the sector’s immense prospects, noting that while 95% of cassava is currently exported in raw form, only 5% undergoes domestic processing. The industry contributes approximately $728 million to Cambodia’s economy and holds significant potential for producing value-added goods such as starch, bread, biscuits, chips, beverages, and industrial products like paper.

Minister Hem Vanndy emphasized the need to transition from raw exports to domestic processing to create higher-value products, enhance farmers’ incomes, and diversify the country’s industrial output. He commended the Federation’s efforts to support cassava growers, promote starch-rich cassava varieties, and foster equitable contract farming practices.

The minister voiced strong support for clean cassava production and the establishment of a cassava value chain cluster. He directed the Institute of Standards of Cambodia to revise cassava-related standards to meet market demands and encouraged the Federation to collaborate with Khmer Enterprise for business planning, market expansion, and participation in global expos. Partnerships with financial institutions, including SME Bank and ARDB Bank, were also encouraged to secure funding for cassava-focused enterprises.

Hem Vanndy also called for research collaborations with the National Institute of Science, Technology, and Innovation to develop advanced cassava reprocessing technologies. He urged the Federation to mobilize Cambodia’s 90,000 cassava-growing families to join a newly launched digital platform aimed at integrating the informal economy, improving resilience, and fostering economic inclusivity.

Cambodia’s rise in the cassava export market reflects its growing importance in regional and global agricultural trade. With increased emphasis on domestic processing and innovation, the sector is poised for even greater contributions to the nation’s economy.