As Cambodia continues to promote the deep processing and export diversification of agricultural products, The Royal Government and relevant industry agencies are increasing their efforts to attract investment in the construction of local pepper processing plants, with the aim of enhancing the value added of the product and expanding direct exports to the international market, thereby gradually reducing dependence on the Vietnamese market.

Mannie, president of the Cambodian Pepper and Spice Federation, said recently that the Federation is working closely with relevant ministries and agencies, as well as farmers and pepper-growing communities across the country, to fully promote the investment projects of local processing plants and related enterprises.

Many noted that the domestic capacity of pepper processing in Cambodia is still limited. The national average annual production of pepper is as high as 17,000 to 20,000 tons, but locally only about 1,000 tons of pepper can be processed for direct export each year. Due to processing bottlenecks, approximately 70 to 80 per cent of pepper products still need to be exported as raw materials to the Vietnamese market for processing and resale.

He stressed that if more enterprises can invest in construction of processing plants in the future, it will not only greatly enhance the product value of Cambodian pepper, create more jobs for local people, but also bring more tax revenue to the country.

　　“When we have complete processing facilities, we can provide standard pepper supply, packaging and deep processing services for large enterprises. At the same time, the rise of local processing enterprises can help farmers to shed their dependence on a single neighbouring market, ensuring higher value-added returns for growers.”Manny explained.

He also revealed that some small workshops have begun to gradually scale up production. At the same time, the Federation is actively attracting domestic and foreign capital to enter the Cambodian pepper processing industry by holding talks with investment companies, organizing participation in international trade exhibitions and professional forums, and further broadening international export channels for finished pepper products.

It is understood that Cambodia currently has about 6,000 hectares of pepper cultivation, of which about 5,000 hectares have entered the harvest period, and the average annual output is between 17,000 and 20,000 tons. Pepper cultivation is spread throughout many provinces across the country, of which Tembcomon, Mondogiri, Ladakhiari, Citrus Creek, Gombe and Whitehorse are considered the most promising major producing areas.

According to the latest report of the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia, in the first quarter of 2026, Cambodia's pepper export revenue exceeded 9 million US dollars, a substantial increase of 86% over the same period of last year. Vietnam, Germany and France remain the top three export markets for Cambodian pepper.