Cassava is Cambodia’s second-largest crop after rice and has become one of the country’s leading agricultural exports. Much of the produce is sold to neighbouring markets, particularly Vietnam and Thailand.

Cambodia is moving to strengthen its cassava trade links with Vietnam as part of efforts to boost agricultural exports and secure wider regional markets.

A delegation led by Var Rothsan, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce, held talks in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday with Vietnamese counterparts to explore new avenues for cassava exports.

The working mission, convened at the Cambodian Commercial Attaché Office, brought together officials from the General Directorate of Trade Promotion, the General Department of Domestic Trade, the Cambodian Consulate General, and representatives of the Cambodian Cassava Federation alongside the Vietnamese Cassava Association.

The discussions focused on expanding market opportunities, establishing closer business networks and matching Cambodian producers with Vietnamese buyers. Both sides also presented the strengths and potential of their respective cassava industries before moving into business-to-business exchanges.

Ahead of the meeting, the Cambodian team visited a factory producing cassava processing and drying equipment, as well as corn machinery. The inspection was aimed at identifying technology capable of meeting higher export standards, which remains a key requirement for Cambodian cassava to compete in regional supply chains.

Cassava is Cambodia’s second-largest crop after rice and has become one of the country’s leading agricultural exports. Much of the produce is sold to neighbouring markets, particularly Vietnam and Thailand, where it is processed into starch, chips and ethanol for onward export to China and other destinations.

The mission marked another step in aligning Cambodia’s agricultural sector with regional partners and underscored the government’s push to add value to raw crops through improved processing.

By strengthening cooperation with Vietnam’s cassava industry, the Kingdom aims to ensure more stable demand for farmers while supporting broader trade diversification goals.

Source: Khmer Times