Japanese Firm Plans Major Expansion of Cambodia’s Cashew Processing Exports

KAMPONG THOM, Mar. 11, 2026 (KPT) — A Japanese agro-processing company is set to sharply increase exports of processed Cambodian cashew nuts this year, underscoring rising foreign investment in the country’s value-added agricultural sector.

MIRARTH Agri Tech expects to ship more than 600 tonnes of processed cashews in 2026, mainly to the European Union and Japan, factory manager Nobutoshi Yaji said Monday. The figure marks a more than 50 percent jump from last year’s exports of about 300 tonnes.

Speaking during a briefing to a Japanese investor delegation led by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Yaji said the company plans to expand processing capacity and strengthen raw material procurement. MIRARTH is also exploring new markets, including China, while consolidating its presence in Europe and Japan.

The firm began operations in Cambodia in mid-2024 and made its first export shortly after launching production. It currently sources raw cashews through local cooperatives but is considering direct purchases from farmers to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Cambodia produces nearly one million tonnes of cashews annually, ranking among the world’s largest producers. However, more than 90 percent of raw nuts are exported to Vietnam for processing before entering global markets.

Yaji said boosting domestic processing capacity would allow Cambodia to capture greater value from its cashew industry and strengthen its position internationally. He added that Cambodian cashews are prized for their high nutritional quality compared with those from other countries.