Employees work at Zhong Bao (Cambodia) Food Science & Technology Co., Ltd. in Kampong Speu province, Cambodia, Sept. 2, 2026. (Photo by Van Pov/Xinhua)
KAMPONG SPEU, Cambodia, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Mean Samnang, a quality control supervisor at a Chinese-invested mango processing factory in western Cambodia, beams with pride as she watches the production line buzz with activity.
For Samnang and her co-workers, a recent surge in purchase orders from China has brought immense joy, translating into abundant work, higher take-home pay, and significantly improved livelihoods.
Having worked at Zhong Bao (Cambodia) Food Science & Technology Co., Ltd. for several years, Samnang has witnessed a steady, year-on-year increase in Chinese demand. She attributes this robust growth to two key factors: the factory's unwavering commitment to strict product quality and hygiene standards, and the naturally exceptional flavor of Cambodian mangoes.
"I am really happy to see clients placing orders, as our factory produces high-quality products and maintains strict hygiene standards," Samnang told Xinhua. "Every new order from our clients provides significant benefits, creating more jobs and increasing the income of our workers."
For local residents, the factory has become a vital anchor of economic stability. Beyond providing reliable employment, Samnang emphasizes that the company fosters a fair and respectful workplace culture, treating all employees equally without exploitation or discrimination.
"The company offers a decent monthly wage ranging from 400 to 450 U.S. dollars, and up to 500 dollars," she said.
Employment at the facility remains remarkably stable, with personnel working year-round. Driven by a steady influx of new buyers from China, the factory is bucking broader economic trends by actively recruiting even more local workers to keep pace with demand.
Bun Ranith, a mango packer at the company, shared a similar sentiment, expressing her delight with the factory's fair compensation and safe working conditions.
Ranith highlighted that China's growing appetite for Cambodian agricultural goods goes far beyond the factory walls. By importing products like mangoes, Chinese buyers are actively driving Cambodia's economic growth while directly uplifting the livelihoods of both rural farmers and factory workers.
Reth Songheng, chief administrative officer at Zhong Bao, said that the company specializes exclusively in dried mangoes. While China remains its primary export destination, the factory already has its sights set on expanding into the European market.
"The premium quality of our dried mangoes comes down to meticulous selection and slicing to exact standards," Songheng told Xinhua. "The final product is naturally delicious, which has made it highly competitive."
To sustain production, the factory sources more than 90,000 tons of fresh mangoes annually from a network of farmers and brokers across Cambodia, he said.
This massive operation translates directly into local jobs. The factory currently employs roughly 2,600 workers, drawing talent both from the immediate vicinity and neighboring provinces.
"In 2025, we exported 12,000 tons of dried mangoes to the Chinese market," Songheng said. "Backed by a fresh wave of purchase orders from China for 2026, we are actively scaling up production well past last year's benchmarks."
Songheng said that this rising demand creates a ripple effect throughout the local economy. Increased orders mean the factory can hire more staff and purchase more raw fruit, creating a win-win scenario where both factory workers and rural farmers enjoy higher incomes. ■
Employees work at Zhong Bao (Cambodia) Food Science & Technology Co., Ltd. in Kampong Speu province, Cambodia, Sept. 2, 2026. (Photo by Van Pov/Xinhua)
