The Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC) is shifting into high gear this spring, launching two high-profile trade events in February and March designed to fast-track exports to China and Japan.
Expanding the Footprint in China
The momentum begins in February with a dedicated B2B matchmaking event in Phnom Penh. In a strategic partnership with the Chinese-Cambodian Industrial Economic Promotion Association, the CAC will host 10 major Chinese firms. The focus? Securing bulk deals for raw cashew nuts and cashew shells, signaling a growing demand for Cambodian raw materials in the Chinese industrial sector.
Targeting the Japanese Premium Market
The strategy pivots toward high-value processed goods in March. Partnering with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the CAC will facilitate direct negotiations between 40 local processors and roughly 20 Japanese firms.
Unlike the raw material focus of the February event, the March summit is laser-focused on cashew kernels. This initiative aims to integrate Cambodian processors directly into Japan’s high-standard supply chain. This mission is the result of nearly six months of diplomacy, following preliminary talks held in November 2025.
On-the-Ground Inspections
To build buyer confidence, the Japanese delegation will head to Kampong Thom province on March 9. The itinerary includes:
- Facility Tours: Direct inspections of CAC processing plants.
- Supply Chain Transparency: Deep dives into local production standards and capacity.
- Field Experience: First-hand looks at Cambodian cashew farming operations.
Cambodia is coming off a banner year; in 2025, the nation exported over 1 million tonnes of unprocessed cashews, raking in a record $1.5 billion in revenue. These upcoming summits represent a clear move to transition from a raw exporter to a sophisticated global supplier.
FAQ: Cambodia’s Cashew Industry Expansion
1. Why is Cambodia focusing on Japanese and Chinese markets specifically? China remains a massive volume buyer for raw materials, while Japan offers a high-premium market for processed kernels. Tapping into both allows Cambodia to balance high-volume sales with high-margin processed exports.
2. What is the significance of the Kampong Thom site visit? Kampong Thom is a major hub for cashew production. Allowing international buyers to see the facilities in person builds trust in Cambodia’s “processing standards” and quality control, which is vital for entering the Japanese market.
3. How much revenue did the cashew industry generate recently? According to the latest CAC reports, Cambodia saw a massive $1.5 billion in revenue from cashew exports in 2025 alone.
4. What is the difference between “raw cashew nuts” and “cashew kernels”? Raw nuts are the unprocessed seeds, often exported for shelling elsewhere. Kernels are the edible, processed nuts, which fetch a much higher price on the global market.
5. Who are the main partners for these events? The CAC is collaborating with the Chinese-Cambodian Industrial Economic Promotion Association for the February event and JETRO for the March mission.