Cambodia–Vietnam Cashew Study Visit Highlights Value Chain Opportunities
April 21–24, 2026 | Binh Phuoc & Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, A Cambodian delegation has completed a four-day study visit to Vietnam aimed at strengthening Cambodia–Vietnam cooperation in the cashew sector and exploring opportunities for greater value addition in Cambodia.
Cambodia, now the world’s second-largest producer of raw cashew nuts, exports most of its production to Vietnam, the global leader in cashew processing and exports. The mission provided a platform for joint learning on processing systems, financing mechanisms, and export market integration, with a view to strengthening Cambodian cashew value chain.
Led by the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia and supported by the EU and Germany, the visit was co-facilitated by GIZ Cambodia and the Cambodia Cashew Federation, bringing together around 30 participants from government, private sector, financial institutions, and the EU Delegation.
The delegation followed key stages of the value chain, from border collection systems in Binh Phuoc to processing and export hubs in Ho Chi Minh City.
Cross-border value chain integration
At the Hoa Lu border crossing, the delegation observed Cambodian cashew entering Vietnam’s trading and warehousing system before being supplied to processors through established logistics networks. Warehousing operations, including at Hoang Son 1 Joint Stock Company, demonstrated efficient coordination that ensures a steady flow of raw materials to factories. These visits showed the necessity of cashew drying in Cambodia before exporting.
Value addition through processing and by-products unitization
In Binh Phuoc Province, the delegation visited both small subcontractors and larger processors, highlighting a diversified industrial base. At OTIS Binh Phuoc Co., Ltd, participants observed integrated processing lines, including extraction of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), a by-product used in industrial applications. The visit highlighted a blueprint for growth: while Cambodia currently focuses on raw kernel exports, there is significant untapped potential to capture greater value domestically through diversified processing and the utilization of by-products.
Market access and export competitiveness
In Ho Chi Minh City, Dan On Foods Corporation and Olam Food Ingredients showcased integrated operations covering sourcing, processing, certification, and global exports under strict food safety standards. The exchanges highlighted the importance of branding, certification, and market access in global competitiveness.
The delegation also engaged with Saigon–Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank on financing solutions supporting procurement, storage, and exports, ensuring liquidity across production cycles. At Thanh Dat Manufacturing Mechanical Co., Ltd, locally produced machinery for processing and CNSL extraction demonstrated gains in efficiency and scale.
Institutional coordination for sector development
An exchange with the Vietnam Cashew Association highlighted the role of coordinated action between government, industry associations, and the private sector in strengthening sector competitiveness. This framework supports standardization, trade facilitation, and alignment with international market requirements. Vietnam processes several million tonnes of raw cashew annually, confirming its position as the global leader in cashew processing and exports. The discussions also pointed to opportunities for closer Cambodia–Vietnam cooperation to improve regional supply chain efficiency and market integration.
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About the EU-German CAPSAFE project
This visit is part of broader support from the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to Cambodia’s agricultural development and exports through the CAPSAFE Project, implemented by GIZ Cambodia. The project strengthens agricultural value chains, including cashew, from farm to market by improving quality, supporting processors, and expanding access to finance and markets, with the aim of helping Cambodia capture more value, create jobs, and increase incomes.
