Va Sokchea, employed at Kampu Nuts Agro Product Co. Ltd. in central Cambodia, no longer commutes to Phnom Penh for garment factory work, following the launch of a local cashew nut processing plant in early 2024.
Sokchea, a mother of four, highlights the plant's proximity, providing stable employment and a monthly income of $300, which surpasses her previous earnings of over $200 in Phnom Penh. "My job at this factory is to collect and sort cashew nuts based on their sizes as well as remove the outer shells of the cashew nuts," she told Xinhua on March 4. Her reduced living expenses further enhance her financial situation.
So Suos, another employee, transitioned from rice farming to plant work, citing improved livelihood and convenient location. He remarked, "I earn $300 per month." The plant's operations have reportedly enhanced local economic conditions.
Hout Hyhhaikeang, the plant's managing director, noted annual exports of 3,000 to 4,000 tonnes of processed cashew nuts, primarily to China. "Currently, our key export market is China," he told Xinhua. "About 95 per cent of our products have been sold to China." The plant employs approximately 200 workers, purchasing raw cashew nuts from local producers.
Cambodia ranks as the second-largest global producer of raw cashew nuts, with 2024 production reaching 850,000 tonnes, as reported by the Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC). Despite limited processing facilities, 815,000 tonnes were exported last year, mainly to Vietnam. The CAC indicates the presence of 700,000 hectares of cashew plantations across 11 provinces.
Source: The Star