Cambodia drafts national pepper policy to boost value addition, exports

Cambodia drafts national pepper policy to boost value addition, exports

Cambodia is developing a national pepper policy aimed at strengthening the pepper value chain, increasing value-added production and improving market access for Cambodian pepper in international markets, particularly the European Union.

The Ministry of Commerce consulted with private-sector stakeholders on September 16 to gather input for the draft National Pepper Policy, with discussions focusing on challenges, opportunities and recommendations from businesses and industry players.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce yesterday, Va Rothsan, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce and head of the technical working group, and Bryan Fornari, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Cambodia, co-chaired the consultation at Baitong Hotel & Resort in Phnom Penh.

The consultation brought together representatives from the Ministry of Commerce, the EU-German CAPSAFE project, the Cambodia Pepper and Spices Federation, pepper associations and communities, exporters, processors and agricultural officials from Kampot and Tboung Khmum provinces.

The proposed policy is intended to provide a clearer roadmap for developing Cambodia’s pepper sector by strengthening production and value addition across the supply chain, according to the ministry.

Rothsan said the policy would help Cambodia capture greater value from pepper production, increase incomes for rural farmers and expand exports to international markets, particularly the EU.

Private-sector input is being incorporated into the draft to ensure that the policy addresses practical challenges faced by farmers, traders, processors and exporters, while identifying opportunities to improve the overall competitiveness of Cambodian pepper.

khmertimeskh