Cambodia has taken a major step to boost its agricultural exports to China, signing a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the supply of 500,000 tonnes of dried cassava chips for 2025-2026.
The MoU ceremony was signed yesterday at the Ministry of Commerce headquarters, presided over by Cham Nimul, Minister of Commerce. She received Zhou Yijue, a member of the Standing Committee, Secretary General, and Director General of the General Office of the CPC Guangxi Committee, who led a high-level delegation from China’s Guangxi Autonomous Region, along with representatives from COFCO Biotechnology Co., Ltd., the company involved in the agreement. Senior ministry officials were also present on the occasion.
The MoU underscores the Royal Government’s commitment to promoting Cambodian agricultural products, expanding and diversifying export markets, and enhancing production and processing standards to meet international requirements.
It reflects that this agreement represents an important step in strengthening Cambodia’s agricultural trade and regional supply chain integration.
In less than six months, the Ministry of Commerce has facilitated commitments for more than 700,000 tonnes of dried cassava exports to China. The 500,000 tonnes agreement signed on Thursday builds on a previous 200,000 tonnes MoU signed in March 2025, reflecting growing confidence in Cambodian agricultural products and stronger bilateral trade cooperation.
The deal is expected to bring economic benefits to farmers and processors while creating jobs and supporting sustainable agricultural growth. Partnerships such as this, with international trading companies, are considered crucial in positioning Cambodia as a reliable supplier in the region and enhancing the Kingdom’s integration into global markets.
The agreement also highlights Cambodia’s broader strategy to diversify its agricultural exports beyond traditional sectors, ensuring long-term economic resilience and growth.
Cambodia ranks as the fourth-largest cassava producer in Asia and the tenth-largest worldwide. Each year, more than 12 million tonnes of fresh cassava roots are harvested, with the new strategy designed to stimulate growth and diversify exports in the coming years.
In 2024, the country’s cassava sector recorded notable expansion. Exports of fresh cassava rose by more than 160 per cent in the first three quarters, surpassing two million tonnes, while dry cassava exports reached over 860,000 tonnes, representing a decline of 12.54 per cent.
