Cambodia’s fisheries sector is undergoing a transformative shift, with Unica enterprise leading the charge towards a more sustainable and internationally competitive industry.
Founded in 2014, this pioneering enterprise has evolved from a small initiative supporting women fishermen into a major player in the agri-food sector.
With the backing of the CAPFISH-Capture Project and strategic collaborations, Unica is not only enhancing its product line but also setting a new standard for food safety and sustainability.
As Cambodian fishery products gain global recognition, Unica’s innovative approach offers a blueprint for the future of the sector, demonstrating how local vision can drive significant international impact.
In a landmark event for Cambodia’s fisheries industry, key representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the European Union, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) convened in Phnom Penh on Thursday last week to witness Unica’s remarkable evolution.
The visit is part of a media roadshow organised by MAFF and the CAPFISH-Capture project, and highlighted Unica’s significant advancements towards meeting rigorous food safety standards and setting a new benchmark for Cambodian fishery enterprises.
Leap Mary, the visionary founder and Managing Director of Unica, shared her profound insights with everyone. Since its inception in 2014, Unica has transformed from a modest venture aiding female fishermen in Pursat province into a leading name in the agri-food and fishery sectors.
Unica’s primary products include dried fish, prahok, smelt, and grilled fish, catering to high-end consumers in Phnom Penh and international markets.
Mary said that through CAPFISH-Capture and collaboration with relevant institutions, the enterprise has developed a more sustainable fish product line.
“When we present our products at international exhibitions, we’ve observed that they are no longer just ‘ready-to-cook’ but ‘ready-to-eat’ items,” she noted, highlighting the competitive edge Cambodia has for exporting fisheries products to overseas markets.
Unica, founded in 2014, has grown from a local startup with a vision into a leader in sustainable Cambodian fisheries. Initially working with local fisheries communities along the Tonle Sap River, the enterprise now supports additional producer groups along coastal areas and aquaculture farmers throughout Cambodia, ensuring high quality and sustainable practices.
Unica aims to be a leading provider of safe, high-quality agri-food and fishery products. Their mission is to enhance consumer health by offering top-notch products that meet food safety standards and quality assurance.
Their premium offerings include dried fish, prahok, smelt, and grilled fish. For example, their dried snakehead fish is locally sourced, boneless, and easy to prepare, making it an excellent complement to jasmine rice and ripe mango for an authentic Khmer meal.
Through a commitment to quality and sustainability, Unica, alongside the CAPFISH-Capture Project, is transforming Cambodia’s fisheries sector, setting a benchmark for future growth and development.
Mary highlighted the shift towards ready-made food products due to changing consumer habits.
“Moms today are so busy that cooking for their children can be time-consuming,” she said. “That’s why we’ve collaborated with the project owner and the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ICT) to research and improve cooking practices. Previously, we focused on ready-made food.”
She added, “When Cambodian products are exported abroad, it’s become evident that the country has transitioned from cooking-first to ready-made food. This change not only influences consumer habits but also bolsters the local economy.”
Unica distributes an average of 600 kg of processed fish per month, a figure that has increased by 50 to 70% across 20 markets in the capital, with plans for further expansion.
This growth is largely attributed to the CAPFISH project, which offers technical assistance in food safety, packaging and branding.
“We’ve enhanced hand washing facilities, packing rooms, staff training, and supplier food safety practices,” Mary explained.
These improvements have resulted in obtaining Cambodia Quality Seal (CQS) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certifications, leading to substantial economic benefits.
The CQS brand ensures the safety and quality of fishery products, promoting sustainable growth and competitiveness for Cambodia in both domestic and international markets.
Mary said, “Enterprises have experienced a 20% increase in sales, a 30% rise in revenue, and a 50% boost in employment, creating significant economic opportunities.”
Chay Chim, Director of MAFF’s Department of Agro-Industry, said that Unica’s products serve as a role model for other local enterprises. He points out that, as a member of the Cambodia Aquarium Association, Unica uses the fish they raise to create a variety of processed fish products.
“They have upgraded their offerings from ready-to-cook to ready-to-eat products,” he said, noting that this makes their products much more convenient for consumers. He also urged the media to support the promotion of local products in the market.
Shetty Seetharama Thombathu, Chief Technical Advisor for the CAPFISH-Capture Project at the UNIDO, highlighted the project’s success in upgrading the fisheries value chain to help enter new markets.
“We have been very successful in showcasing some models of how the fisheries value chain can be upgraded and for accessing better markets,” he said.
“We have developed many foods safety legal frameworks, such as fisheries laws, a lot of policies, guidelines, and requirements. This is enough for taking it forward,” he added.
When asked about the sustainability of the project beyond its closure, Thombathu emphasised the capacity building within the fisheries administration and the Department of Fisheries Post-Harvest Technology and Quality Control (DFPTQ).
“We have improved the capacity of the fisheries administration and the department of fisheries post-harvest quality control. There are 17 or 20 inspectors who have been thoroughly trained on how to carry it forward beyond the life of the project,” he said.
He also discussed the private sector’s role in sustainability, noting, “We have recently launched a blended financing mechanism that provides project support as well as collateral-free loans from banks.”
“This is another way of ensuring sustainability. We have also developed 27 auditors from the fisheries administration, the Institute of Standards under MISTI, four universities, and the private sector to take the CQS (Cambodia Quality Seal) ahead,” he concluded.
CQS is a certification mark that signifies adherence to stringent food safety and quality standards. The CQS is part of a broader effort to enhance the safety and quality of Cambodian fishery products, thereby promoting sustainable growth and competitiveness in both domestic and international markets.
Dr Thombathu mentioned the success of the project to open up international markets for Cambodian fisheries.
“We have already exported to China and Australia, and now we are working with the EU, New Zealand, South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand. We are developing MOUs to facilitate easy trade beyond the project’s closure,” he said.
Furthermore, he stressed the replicability of their model, saying, “In Cambodia, if you develop something successfully, it gets copied and repeated. This is what we want to do with the CAPFISH capture model, expanding it to agriculture, crop value chains, and food value chains.”
The project is set to wrap up in December next year, but Thombathu expressed optimism about its long-term impact.
“We are requesting the EU to extend the project to expand or replicate this programme for another four or five years, reaching out to a maximum number of people,” he said.
He also stressed the critical role of certification for market access. “Safety is the key driver for trade. Without certification, products cannot be sold in major markets. For example, one enterprise in Siem Reap was able to export to Australia only after obtaining CQS certification,” he noted.
Noting the scale of fisheries enterprises in Cambodia, he said, “There are 1,140 fisheries businesses in Cambodia, with 90% being small and micro-enterprises. We have certified 17 enterprises and are currently working with 40 more, showcasing models for the rest of the sector.”
The CQS seal is awarded to companies that meet stringent criteria for safety, quality, environmental responsibility, gender equality, child labour prevention and customer satisfaction.
As a mark of trust and reliability, the CQS seal is highly coveted by businesses aiming to stand out in a competitive market. For consumers, it assures them that products bearing the CQS seal have been rigorously certified to uphold the highest quality standards.
