Cambodian pepper aims for international markets, bidding farewell to the risks of a single market.

On August 22, Mani, the chairman of the Cambodia Pepper and Spice Association, stated that although currently the vast majority of pepper products are exported to Vietnam in the form of fresh pepper, the association is actively exploring new export channels. He pointed out that direct exports can not only increase profits but also enhance Cambodia's control over the market.

"We are working hard to export pepper directly to China and European markets," said Mani. "Compared to relying on third-party countries for resale, directly developing international markets is more economically beneficial. Especially in the Chinese market, we plan to export both raw pepper materials and finished products to enhance overall added value."

In response to industry needs, the Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is cooperating with the Pepper Association to jointly promote the export of organic and safe pepper. Meanwhile, the Pepper Association has requested the Ministry of Agriculture to expedite the registration process of pepper plantations, farms, and related associations to increase export volume.

Mani introduced that the Chinese market has a huge demand for pepper, but due to the limited number of currently certified pepper plantations, many exporters find it difficult to find qualified products. He said that accelerating the registration work will help meet market demand and provide convenience for more exporters.

According to Du Wenhua, the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, as of now, 126 pepper farms in Cambodia have been registered as "Good Agricultural Practices" (GAP) farms. This process has received technical and policy support from the EU-German CAPSAFE project for sustainable agriculture and food systems.

According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in the first half of 2025, Cambodia exported about 10,000 tons of pepper to the international market. As more farms gain certification and gradually move away from over-reliance on a single market, Cambodia's pepper industry is expected to move towards a more sustainable development path.