PHNOM PENH, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Thursday exported the first batch of 14 tonnes of processed cashews to Italy, officials said.
Chhor Sunhong, an undersecretary of state at Cambodia's Ministry of Commerce, said cashew is considered one of the priority crops among other potential crops, providing an important source of income and contributing to the growth of national income.
"The government is working to increase productivity, expand processing capacity, and strengthen export competitiveness through economic diversification, which will enable the cashew industry to generate higher returns," Sunhong said at an event marking the first cashew shipment to Italy.
Processed cashews were shipped to Italy by Ample Agro Product Co. Ltd.
European Union Ambassador to Cambodia Igor Driesmans said the potential of Cambodian cashews is not only for ASEAN but also for the EU market.
"Today's event is more than a shipment to Italy; it is a symbol of Cambodia's growing role in global trade," he said. "Cambodian cashews are healthy, high-quality, and increasingly recognized by chefs and consumers worldwide."
Cambodia has become the second-largest cashew producer in the world, with production rising from 50,000 tonnes in 2014 to 840,000 tonnes in 2024, and it is expected to surpass 1 million tonnes per year by 2028, according to the Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia.
In 2024, the cashew sector contributed 1.07 billion U.S. dollars, representing 3.8 percent of Cambodia's gross domestic product.
However, most cashews are still exported raw because of limited processing capacity. ■
