Phnom Penh, April 22, 2026 — A cashew processing plant valued at more than $5 million is set to be constructed in Kampong Thom province, marking a major step in Cambodia’s push to strengthen its agricultural value chain and boost exports.
The project, part of a Cambodia–Korea cooperation initiative, was discussed during a meeting between H.E. Ouk Rabun, Chairman of the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), and Mr. Sang-mu Lee, Chairman of the Korea Overseas Agro-Resources Association (KOAA).
According to H.E. Ouk Rabun, the facility will be capable of processing up to 20 tonnes of raw cashew nuts per day. Construction is scheduled to begin in September 2026, with completion expected by the end of 2029.
The plant forms part of a broader project aimed at enhancing Cambodia’s agricultural value chain, particularly in the cashew sector. In addition to infrastructure, the initiative will provide training to farmers and agricultural communities in post-harvest handling, drying, storage, processing, and export market development.
Cashew has been identified as a priority crop by the Royal Government as it seeks to diversify the economy in line with national development strategies. Cambodia currently has over 580,000 hectares under cashew cultivation, with an estimated annual production capacity of more than 800,000 tonnes, placing the country among the world’s top producers.
The sector has also seen strong export growth. In 2025, Cambodia exported around 1 million tonnes of raw cashew nuts, generating approximately $1.5 billion in revenue — a 27 percent increase compared to 2024, according to the Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia.
Officials say the new processing plant is expected to reduce reliance on raw exports and increase value-added production, helping Cambodia secure a stronger position in global markets.
