Cambodia’s New Cashew Processing Plant Enhances Local Employment and Exports
The Kampu Nuts Agro Product Co. Ltd. cashew processing plant in Cambodia has created local jobs and economic improvement since its launch in early 2024, resulting in stable incomes for employees and significant exports to China. Cambodia ranks as the second-largest global producer of raw cashew nuts, with notable production levels and plantations across numerous provinces.
In early 2024, a new cashew nut processing plant, Kampu Nuts Agro Product Co. Ltd., commenced operations in central Cambodia, significantly impacting local employment and economic dynamics. Va Sokchea, a factory employee and mother of four, expressed satisfaction with the new opportunity that provides stable employment near her home, earning $300 monthly, which exceeds her previous income while working in a Phnom Penh garment factory. This arrangement has not only improved her financial situation but also reduced living expenses, enhancing her family’s quality of life.
Similarly, So Suos transitioned from rice farming to work at the cashew plant and reported a comparable monthly income of $300, attributing this change to the plant’s convenient location and its positive economic effect on the local community. The plant currently employs around 200 workers, contributing to improved economic conditions in the region as it sources raw cashew nuts from local farmers.
Hout Hyhhaikeang, the plant’s managing director, stated that the facility exports between 3,000 to 4,000 tonnes of processed cashew nuts annually, with a significant 95 percent directed to the Chinese market. The growing international demand underlines Cambodia’s position, as the country is recognized as the second-largest producer of raw cashew nuts, with a production forecast for 2024 reaching 850,000 tonnes, as highlighted by the Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC). Despite facing challenges, Cambodia exported 815,000 tonnes of cashew nuts last year, primarily to Vietnam, while maintaining extensive plantations across 11 provinces.
The establishment of the Kampu Nuts Agro Product Co. Ltd. plant has significantly enhanced employment opportunities and economic conditions in central Cambodia. Local workers, such as Va Sokchea and So Suos, have demonstrated improved livelihoods thanks to stable incomes and reduced commute times. Furthermore, the plant’s role in exporting processed cashew nuts to China emphasizes Cambodia’s position in the global cashew production market, validating the importance of local agricultural initiatives.
Original Source: www.freshplaza.com
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