Australia, Japan combine to boost Cambodian cashew industry
Cambodian farmers sorting cashew nuts. -Australian embassy
PHNOM PENH: Australia and Japan are collaborating to strengthen Cambodia's cashew industry by helping improve processing capabilities and the quality and flavour of the kingdom's nuts.
In 2024, only about five per cent of the kingdom's harvested cashews were processed domestically, with the vast majority exported before value was added.
According to June 10 post by the Australian embassy in Cambodia, Australia and Japan are working together to strengthen Cambodia's cashew sector through complementary support that can increase processing capacity and see more delicious, high quality Cambodian cashews reach global markets.
It reiterated that only about five per cent of the 840,000 tonnes of cashews grown in Cambodia last year was processed in country.
'If more of this yield can be processed in Cambodia, the country can capture more value and generate more jobs and wealth,' it noted.
The embassy added that, with support from both governments, Kampong Thom-based cashew processing company MIRARTH Agri Tech is 'helping to advance in-country processing, showcase Cambodia's cashews to global markets, and ensure smallholder farmers who grow these cashews benefit from more stable, fair prices'.
Japanese support has helped the company improve supply chains and undertake feasibility studies for cashew processing and minimising waste. Australian backing, meanwhile, has helped MIRARTH enhance its export readiness, including through coaching, business matchmaking and participation in the 2025 World Cashew Conference – resulting in preliminary agreements with several companies.
According to the embassy, MIRARTH plans to process 3,000 tonnes of cashew in 2025 and work towards a zero-waste approach.
'This collaborative approach between Australia and Japan reflects our shared commitment to advance high-potential sectors in Cambodia – improving productivity, employment and livelihoods whilst driving sustainable economic growth,' it said.
The Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC) previously reported that as of March 2025, Cambodia had 52 cashew processing enterprises, including 6 medium-sized factories (with production capacity between 7,000 and 140,000 tonnes annually). The remaining 46 enterprises are small, family-run businesses without year-round production.
According to the association, Cambodia produced 850,000 tonnes of raw cashew nuts in 2024, with 815,000 tonnes exported — mostly to Vietnam — an increase of 21 per cent compared to 2023. The total export value was approximately $1.15 billion, up 26.1 per cent.
Cambodia is currently home to about 700,000 hectares of cashew plantations, of which 580,117 hectares are harvest-ready, with the rest being newly planted areas. Cashews are grown in almost every province, but predominantly in Kampong Thom, Kratie, Ratanakiri, Stung Treng, Kampong Cham, Tboung Khmum, Preah Vihear, Siem Reap, Oddar Meanchey, Kampong Chhnang and Mondulkiri, according to the CAC. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
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