Building Trust in Cambodia's Food Safety Systems: Sophea’s Journey
Early in his career, Sophea Chheun often wondered why many of Cambodia’s agricultural products left the country as raw materials instead of being transformed into higher-value products at home.
“I saw that many of our agricultural products were exported with limited value added,” he recalls. “At the same time, we did not have enough food processing industries to transform these products into safe, high-quality food and non-food products for local consumers and international markets.”
Determined to help change this, Sophea built a career around strengthening Cambodia’s food processing and safety systems.
His career took him from Cambodia's rice industry to a local food processing company, where he worked with products such as pepper, ginger, and turmeric. There, he saw the dedication of farmers and businesses working to produce quality products. However, he also saw a challenge they faced: good products alone were not enough. Without strong food safety systems, businesses struggled to gain buyer trust and access new markets.
His experience reflected a wider challenge in Cambodia’s food sector. Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have products with strong potential, but they need greater knowledge, systems, and support to meet international standards and compete globally.
Wanting to be part of the solution, Sophea continued strengthening his expertise in food safety. In 2025, he joined the HACCP Lead Auditor Training supported by the EU-German GATE project, co-funded by the European Union and Germany and implemented by GIZ Cambodia.
“The training marked an important turning point in my career,” Sophea says. “It not only strengthened my technical expertise but also gave me the confidence to contribute beyond my own workplace.”
“I also began to see the role of an auditor differently, not just as someone who finds faults or assigns blame, but as someone who helps businesses identify opportunities to improve and build a stronger food safety culture,” he adds.
With his new knowledge and confidence, Sophea began extending his support beyond his own workplace. He conducted food safety assessments for Cambodian SMEs, helping businesses identify gaps, strengthen their systems, and prepare for certification. He also began sharing his experience with entrepreneurs and industry professionals, encouraging businesses to see food safety as a pathway towards growth.
His contribution has continued to expand. Today, Sophea leads food production, quality, and food safety systems at his company while also mentoring young entrepreneurs, serving as a technical judge for SME food safety initiatives, and sharing practical knowledge with the wider food industry.
For Sophea, sharing what he has learned has become just as important as applying it himself.
“I believe knowledge creates the greatest impact when it is shared,” he says. “Throughout my own career, I have benefited from mentors, training opportunities and support from organisations like GIZ. Sharing my experience is my way of giving back.”
Sophea’s journey also reflects that strengthening Cambodia’s food industry requires more than technology or standards. It requires people who are willing to learn, share, and support others.
What began as a question about how Cambodia could create more value from its agricultural products has become a mission to help businesses build trust, reach new markets, and show the world the quality of Cambodian products.
____________
About Mr. Sophea Chheun
Sophea Chheun is a Cambodian food safety professional with years of experience helping agribusinesses strengthen food safety systems and meet international standards. After completing the project-supported HACCP Lead Auditor Training in 2025, he has conducted food safety assessments for Cambodian SMEs and regularly shares his expertise as a trainer, mentor, and speaker. He currently serves as Plant Manager at La Plantation, overseeing production, quality, food safety, organic, and Fair-trade systems.
About the EU-German GATE project
The EU-German GATE project is co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ Cambodia. The project works with public and private sector partners to improve Cambodia's trade competitiveness by strengthening quality infrastructure, supporting regulatory reforms, and helping businesses access regional and international markets.
In 2025, the project supported Lead Auditor Courses on ISO 22000:2018 and HACCP/GMP, helping build a pool of qualified Cambodian food safety professionals. Sophea Chheun was among the 37 participants who completed the training and has since applied his expertise to strengthen food safety systems and support Cambodian businesses in meeting international standards.
Read more about the project: Sustainable trade integration in Cambodia | GIZ
