Kampong Thom, Cambodia – August 14, 2025 — The Cashew nut Association of Cambodia (CAC) has taken a significant step toward securing Geographical Indication (GI) status for cashew nuts grown in Kampong Thom province by sending two representatives to participate in the GI Geographical Indication Meeting. The event was organized by the PEARL-FAO project, with the overarching goal of positioning Kampong Thom cashew nuts as a nationally and internationally recognized GI product.
The meeting brought together local stakeholders, government officials, and technical experts to discuss the strategic process of registering Kampong Thom cashew nuts under GI status — a designation that acknowledges the unique qualities and reputation of a product tied to its specific geographic origin.
Key Objectives of the Meeting
According to the CAC, the meeting aimed to:
- Conduct In-Depth Consultations: Engage with local authorities, farmers, and stakeholders across Kampong Thom’s cashew nut value chain to promote the formation of a Geographical Indication Association. This includes significant progress on finalizing a “charge book” — a document outlining production standards — as well as drafting the internal rules and regulations of the future association.
- Coordinate Institutional Efforts: Collaborate with relevant government departments to establish the next steps for managing and organizing the GI process and coordinating efforts across the cashew value chain.
- Strengthen Multi-Level Cooperation: Enhance collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Commerce, and local partners to ensure effective implementation of GI efforts at provincial, sub-national, and national levels.
Understanding Geographical Indications
Geographical Indication (GI) status is a designation that reflects a product’s quality, reputation, and characteristics linked to its geographic origin. These attributes are typically shaped by a combination of environmental factors, local knowledge, traditional practices, and historical reputation.
To determine the GI eligibility of Kampong Thom’s cashew nuts, four main criteria are being assessed:
- Physical Characteristics: Including soil composition, climate, light exposure, and water availability.
- Local Agricultural Practices: Such as seed selection, cultivation techniques, harvesting methods, and post-harvest processing.
- Historical Reputation: The product’s historical significance and the reputation it has built over time.
- Legal and Institutional Frameworks: The readiness of producers and associations to organize under a legal structure that supports GI registration.
Economic and Cultural Impact
Securing GI status could have substantial benefits for Kampong Thom’s cashew industry, potentially increasing the product’s market value, enhancing its export potential, and preserving traditional farming knowledge. It also contributes to rural development by protecting local products and empowering producers through collective branding.
With this initiative, Cambodia continues its broader effort to promote GI products as a way to build national pride, ensure quality standards, and boost competitiveness in global markets.