China’s COFCO Commits to 500,000 Tons of Cassava Imports From Cambodia

Phnom Penh — Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce signed a memorandum of understanding with COFCO Biotechnology Co., Ltd. on Thursday to export 500,000 tons of dried cassava chips to China between 2025 and 2026, marking a major boost to the country’s agricultural trade ambitions.

The agreement was formalized during a ceremony attended by Commerce Minister Cham Nimul and Zhou Yijue, a senior official from China’s Guangxi Autonomous Region, alongside representatives from COFCO and Cambodian government officials.

The deal builds on a previous MoU signed in March for 200,000 tons, bringing total cassava export commitments to China to over 700,000 tons in under six months. The Ministry said the agreement underscores growing confidence in Cambodian agricultural products and reflects efforts to integrate local production into regional supply chains.

“This MoU is a testament to our commitment to diversify markets and elevate the quality of Cambodian exports to meet international standards,” Cham said during the signing.

Cassava is one of Cambodia’s key cash crops, and China remains a top destination for its agricultural exports. The latest deal is estimated to be worth over $500 million, based on current market prices, and is expected to support rural livelihoods and stimulate investment in processing infrastructure.

The Ministry of Commerce has prioritized agricultural trade as part of its broader strategy to deepen economic ties with China, Cambodia’s largest trading partner.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture’s annual report, Cambodia currently cultivates between 500,000 and 600,000 hectares of cassava. In 2024, the country exported 3,443,760 tons of fresh cassava, 964,681 tons of dried cassava, and 60,524 tons of cassava flour—bringing in a total of $728 million in export revenue.

Of the fresh cassava produced, 95% was shipped abroad, while just 5% underwent domestic processing.