The export of cashew nuts, bird nests and cassava to China is showing promising growth following memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed between three Cambodian associations and China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Customs Administration, as local products gain increased recognition in international markets for their volume, quality and packaging. The MoUs were signed during the 21st China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) on September 26 in Nanning city between the Guangxi customs and the Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC), Khmer Swiftlet Association (KSA) and Cambodia-China Cassava Alliance Association (CCCAA).
CAC president Uon Silot told The Post from Nanning that the aim of the agreement is to facilitate the direct import of certain Cambodian agricultural products into Guangxi without the need to pass through a third country. Previously, exports through neighbouring countries resulted in higher transportation costs and longer transit times. He noted that previously, the import of fresh agricultural products from Cambodia required approval and inspection by Chinese customs before they could enter China.
"Inspections in the past were complicated and lengthy, forcing some products to pass through third countries before being imported to China. The spirit of this MoU will reduce some of the barriers that hindered the import process into Guangxi, which has a population of over 50 million," he explained. Silot added that the government has made efforts to create special economic zones (SEZs) and bilateral conditions for the import of Cambodian products. He said the agreement complements these efforts by strengthening cooperation between Cambodia’s private sector and Guangxi customs. Khmer Swiftlet Association (KSA) president Suy Kokthean (left) and representatives of the Guangxi customs department signed an MoU on September 26 during the China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, China. Supplied
According to Silot, the MoU has two key positive points: first, the direct flow of Cambodian agricultural products into Guangxi's SEZs and their export to various markets in China without certain Chinese customs conditions; second, it opens pathways for further investment in Guangxi to establish agricultural processing factories in Cambodia’s SEZs, allowing for imports to China without additional conditions or duties imposed by Guangxi customs. Data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries indicates that Cambodia currently has over 580,000 hectares of cashew cultivation, producing over 800,000 tonnes annually. In the first eight months of 2024, the country exported over 560,000 tonnes of the commodity to 11 countries.
KSA president Suy Kokthean, who also signed an agreement, said that this is another forward step for the country’s agricultural export market to China. He noted that the government and private sector have made numerous efforts to promote exports to China. He added that Cambodia currently produces around 100 tonnes of swiftlet nests annually, but official exports to international markets are still limited, and there are no official exports to China yet.
"This MoU is another new milestone for Cambodia’s export market to China. The MoU we signed with Guangxi customs will also be extended to the Chinese government,” he said. According to Kokthean, China is the largest market in the world, with official imports of approximately 500 tonnes of swiftlet nests in 2023, along with significant unofficial imports. "I believe that this MoU will not only open up the market for Cambodian swiftlet nests, cashew nuts and cassava, but will also boost investments in all three sectors," he said.