Cambodge & Agriculture : Les mangues séchées du Royaume séduisent les rayons australiens

The natural dried mangoes from the company Kirirom Food Production (KFP) Co., Ltd. have just arrived on the Australian market. This first commercial shipment of 20 metric tons marks the official launch of a long-term commercial agreement, covering the period 2024-2030, between the Cambodian company and a major Australian wholesale distributor.

This agreement opens the way for a lasting presence of Cambodian processed agricultural products in major Australian retail chains. In a statement dated November 7, the Australian Embassy in Phnom Penh emphasized that this event "testifies to the growing vitality of economic cooperation between Australia and Cambodia" and illustrates "the effectiveness of targeted partnerships between public and private sectors in developing new outlets and strengthening the competitiveness of the Cambodian agri-food sector."

The Australian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia, Derek Yip, highlighted the strategic dimension of this first export. According to him, it fits fully into the vision carried by the

Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, an ambitious roadmap aimed at intensifying economic exchanges between Australia and Southeast Asia.

A showcase of Cambodian agri-food expertise

For Dalis Chhorn, General Director of KFP, this accomplishment represents both an achievement and a commitment to the future:

"We are proud to bring the authentic flavors of Cambodia to Australian consumers. This partnership benefits not only our more than 1,700 employees — of whom 60% are women — but also contributes to improving the income of small producers while enhancing Cambodia's reputation for the quality of its agricultural products."

Based on a sustainable and inclusive production model, KFP has established itself as one of the most dynamic players in the tropical fruit processing sector. Located at the foot of Mount Kirirom, the company relies on virtuous practices, combining technological innovation and respect for international quality standards.

A successful bilateral cooperation

This commercial success is supported by the program Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED), a scheme supported by the Australian government aimed at strengthening Cambodia's economic resilience. Thanks to this support, KFP has been able to increase its export capacity, modernize its infrastructure, and consolidate its ties with foreign markets, particularly Oceania.

In this momentum, the recent installation of the first mango puree production line in Cambodia — also made possible by Australian technical support — is a significant breakthrough. This innovation transforms fruits considered uncalibrated for export into high value-added products (purees, juices, concentrates), intended for both the local and export markets. It also offers new outlets to small producers, guaranteeing the purchase of mangoes of all sizes and qualities.

By valorizing the entire production, KFP helps combat food waste and stimulates local processing, two essential levers to strengthen the competitiveness of the Cambodian agricultural sector.

An expanding economic partnership

Australia is now among Cambodia's major economic partners. In 2024, bilateral trade reached 1.1 billion US dollars, with more than 70% coming from Cambodian exports.

Besides dried mangoes, other processed products such as cashew nuts, dried fruits, or milled rice, exported notably by Royal Trust Trading and Amru Rice, contribute to this dynamic.

According to the Embassy's statement, this progress reflects "the shared will to promote inclusive, sustainable, and resilient economic growth" benefiting producers and rural Cambodian communities.

Australia intends to continue supporting the domestic agro-food processing in the Kingdom, facilitating access to technologies, highly valued markets, and responsible supply chains.

Promising prospects for Cambodian producers

Beyond the export itself, this success symbolizes a deeper transformation of the Cambodian agricultural economic model. It demonstrates the growing ability of local companies to meet the complex requirements of international markets — sanitary standards, traceability, sustainability certifications — while maintaining strong community roots.

For thousands of small mango farmers spread across the provinces of Kampong Speu, Kampot or Battambang, this partnership translates into better price stability, regular demand, and learning opportunities in sustainable farming practices.

KFP, through its direct purchase policy, helps professionalize these rural sectors, facilitating skills transfer and fairer value sharing. Technical training supported by CAPRED allows producers to optimize yields while preserving the distinctive taste quality of the Cambodian fruit, known for its fragrant flesh and natural sweetness.

The rise of a Cambodian quality label

The success of this symbolic export goes beyond mere commercial impact: it embodies the emergence of a "Made in Cambodia" label based on quality, sustainability, and competence. KFP dried mangoes now find their place alongside premium tropical products on Australian shelves, introducing foreign consumers to an authentic taste of Cambodia and a story of responsible development.

In a global context where consumers increasingly seek traceable, natural products from ethical production chains, KFP's positioning represents a model for other Cambodian exporters. The Cambodian government, for its part, plans to strengthen support measures to encourage investments in agro-food processing units and promote private initiatives of this type.

A new era for the Cambodian agro-industry

This first shipment of dried mangoes to Australia marks a strategic turning point for the Cambodian agro-industry. It illustrates the convergence between development policy, industrial innovation, and economic diplomacy.

While challenges remain numerous — climate adaptation, logistical constraints, international sanitary standards — the prospects offered by this type of cooperation are promising. By promoting synergies among public actors, international partners, and local companies, Cambodia confirms its vocation to become a competitive agri-food hub within ASEAN.

The Australian Embassy concludes its statement by reaffirming its commitment to "support Cambodia in building inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and in enhancing its agricultural potential within high value-added markets." An ambition now concretely expressed... in the golden fragrance of Kirirom dried mangoes.