MAFF, CPSF push to boost pepper exports

MAFF, CPSF push to boost pepper exports

Kampot pepper is renowned for its unique flavour profile and is one of only two peppers worldwide with PGI status, signifying its quality and origin.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) held a working meeting with the Cambodia Pepper and Spice Federation (CPSF) on Wednesday to discuss measures to facilitate exports and expand markets to new destinations.

The meeting was chaired by Touch Bun Hour, Secretary of State at MAFF, along with Yin Chansothy, Deputy Director-General and Acting Director of the Industrial Crops Department; Ker Monthivuth, Director at the Department of Plant Protection, Sanitary, and Phytosanitary; and colleagues from the Industrial Crops Department, according to the MAFF’s statement.

Bun Hour said the CPSF presented a progress report and made several recommendations concerning prices and yields. He noted that pepper prices have risen sharply in recent years, which is a positive sign.

“Pepper prices have increased, but yields have declined due to climate change,” he said. “This drop in yields has caused losses for some farmers despite the higher selling prices. In terms of exports, Cambodia still relies heavily on Vietnam as the main market. However, the federation is working hard to diversify into new markets, particularly China and Europe, to reduce reliance on a single country.”

At the same time, the CPSF also urged the Ministry of Agriculture to expand the registration of pepper plantations to facilitate exports, lower costs, and improve the verification of statistical data on cultivated areas and production volumes nationwide, ensuring more accurate information for negotiations with foreign investors.

Based on the Department of Plant Protection, Sanitary, and Phytosanitary, 126 pepper farms have already been certified as Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) farms, with efforts ongoing to register additional farms.

The registration is supported by the EU-German-Cambodia Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (EU-German CAPSAFE) project, with no costs required from farm owners.

The Ministry has assisted by covering costs for some exemplary farmers, encouraging others to voluntarily register under good agricultural and organic standards, strengthening cooperation with relevant ministries and development partners to promote the pepper sector, collaborating with institutions to expand export markets, and reinforcing its internal capacity.

Last week, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries organised a training of trainers on “Cashew and Pepper Production Chain” for over 100 Commune Agriculture Officers and Key Farmers from Kampot, Tbong Khmum, and Kep provinces.

The training aims to strengthen the operational capacity of commune and Sangkat agricultural officers to serve farmers better and boost incomes from agricultural production, particularly cashew and pepper cultivation—two key crops for the national economy and farmers’ livelihoods.

Va Rutsan, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce, said in June that Cambodia is working on its pepper policy, which aims to boost the export of Cambodian pepper across the global markets. We are gathering maximum inputs to make the policy comprehensive.

“The policy’s first priority will be to increase the income levels of pepper growers across the provinces and we also aim to promote exports substantially,” he said.

Kampot pepper is renowned for its unique flavour profile and is one of only two peppers worldwide with Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, signifying its quality and origin.

According to the MoC report, exports of the key agriculture sector experienced a surge in the first half of 2025. The main products Cambodia exported included pepper, rice, bananas, mangoes, cassava, cashew nuts, corn, and tobacco.

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