Cambodia and India are poised to deepen agricultural cooperation, with fresh cashew nuts at the centre of new investment opportunities, following a high-level meeting between officials of both countries. Touch Bun Hour, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), on Monday received Dr Sudhanshu, Secretary of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) of India, and his delegation for a courtesy call and working discussion at the Ministry. The Indian delegation expressed keen interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation while exploring avenues for investment in Cambodian agricultural products. In particular, they highlighted their desire to import fresh cashew nuts from Cambodia, recognising the Kingdom’s potential to become a reliable supplier for the Indian market. Discussions centred on opportunities to expand investment in cashew cultivation, processing, and exports. The delegation indicated strong interest in establishing a cashew processing factory in Kampong Thom province – one of Cambodia’s major cashew-growing areas – as well as in exploring additional investment prospects in the broader agricultural sector. Secretary of State Bun Hour welcomed the proposals, assuring the delegation that Cambodia is open to investors who wish to develop processing facilities and strengthen exports. He emphasised that the Kingdom produces cashew nuts of exceptional quality and taste, with varieties such as M23, M10, H09 and IM4 already well-regarded in international markets. Cambodia’s favourable climate, fertile soil, and government support policies provide an enabling environment for agribusiness development, making the country a promising destination for Indian investment. The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both sides agreeing to continue dialogue. The Indian delegation is scheduled to meet with private sector representatives and visit cashew plantations in Kampong Thom province to assess investment opportunities first-hand. It showed the visit reflects India’s commitment not only to promote the import of Cambodian cashew nuts but also to enhance trade ties and broaden cooperation across agricultural sectors between the two nations. Cambodia exported cashew nuts worth more than $700 million in the first half of 2025, marking a sharp increase of 56 percent compared with the same period last year. Figures from the Ministry of Commerce show that between January and June, cashew nut exports reached $753.21 million, up $272.45 million from the $480 million recorded during the same period in 2024. Officials said efforts are being stepped up to attract greater foreign investment in the cashew sector, with a particular focus on processing and value-added production. The push reflects both the volume of raw cashew nut exports and the government’s strategy to strengthen the agro-industrial base. The Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC) confirmed that it has held discussions with investors from China, India and Singapore to explore opportunities linked to the Cashew Industrial Park (CIP) – a flagship government project designed to establish Cambodia as a regional centre for cashew processing and export.