CAC News
Shenyang, China, September 7, 2025 – A Cambodian delegation led by H.E. Dr. Hul Siengheng, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI), attended the Global Industrial Conference in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, North Eastern China, aiming to boost international collaboration in technology, education, and agriculture — with a strong focus on the cashew industry.
Accompanying the MISTI delegation were representatives from the Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC), Prek Leap National Institute of Agriculture, Cambodia University of Technology and Science (CamTech), Sovann Capital Co., Ltd., and the Cambodia Food Manufacturers Association (CFMA). The visit marks an important milestone in Cambodia-China cooperation, particularly in industrial development and agri-business partnerships.
Three Key Highlights
The Cambodian delegation participated in three major events during the business visit:
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International Signing Ceremony:
Representatives from 26 countries signed cooperation agreements with their Chinese counterparts. Notably, MISTI signed a significant agreement with a leading Chinese telecom company aimed at enhancing technological infrastructure and academic support in Cambodia. -
Academic Engagement:
Delegates from Cambodian academic institutions visited Northeastern University in Shenyang to explore partnerships focused on research collaboration, student exchange programs, and knowledge transfer between the institutions. -
Cashew Market Expansion Talks:
The private sector delegation, including CAC, CFMA, and Sovann Capital, met with Ms. Wang Li, General Manager of the Yingkou Free Trade Zone (FTZ), a key economic hub located 200 km from Shenyang and only 120 km from Taolin Port — the largest seaport in Northeastern China.The Yingkou FTZ, known for receiving extensive government support, expressed strong interest in purchasing large quantities of raw cashew nuts (RCN) directly from Cambodia to meet the growing demand in the region. Cashews are becoming an increasingly popular ingredient in Northeastern Chinese cuisine, and current supply from Nanning, Guangxi is insufficient.
“This is an excellent opportunity to diversify our market and reduce dependency on a single buyer,” said Mr. Silot Uon, Chairman of the Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia. “We are committed to facilitating this partnership and supporting our local traders to benefit from the growing Chinese demand.”
He added that in the first eight months of 2025 alone, Cambodia exported approximately 941,000 metric tons of raw cashew nuts, generating $1.4 billion in revenue. However, much of this volume still reaches China via third countries — a practice CAC aims to change by encouraging direct exports to economic zones like Yingkou and Nanning.
“If we can ship RCN directly to China’s FTZs, we can increase value, stabilize farm-gate prices, and strengthen Cambodia’s position as a premium cashew supplier,” Silot emphasized.
The Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia has also voiced support for the initiative, encouraging Chinese buyers and processors to engage directly with Cambodian suppliers.
This latest mission follows CAC’s 2024 visit to the Nanning Special Economic Zone, where the CAC identified opportunities for improved direct trade routes and processing investment in Cambodia.