South Korean Agribiz Eyes Cherry Tomato, Melon Investment in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Sept.29, 2025) — South Korea-based organic agriculture firm Signature Agribiz is exploring investment opportunities in Cambodia to cultivate premium cherry tomatoes and melons for both domestic consumption and export to South Korea.

Kao Thach, CEO of the Agricultural and Rural Development Bank and Delegate of the Royal Government, said the company specializes in greenhouse cultivation of high-value crops. “Signature Agribiz is keen to grow cherry tomatoes and melons in net houses to supply the local market and export to Korea,” Thach told KPT English.

He noted that the company is using a specially registered melon seed recognized in both Cambodia and South Korea. The seed, developed in Korea but named after Cambodia, combines multiple melon varieties into a single hybrid.

The seed has already undergone two trial cultivations in Kampong Chhnang Province. If yields prove successful, the company plans to begin exports to South Korea.

Signature Agribiz is preparing to expand the project to 96 net houses, with future cultivation sites planned in Phnom Penh, Kandal Province, and Koh Kong Province. The initial phase will involve collaboration with local farmers using existing greenhouse infrastructure.

Cambodia exported approximately 10.4 million tonnes of agricultural products to 84 international markets between January and August 2025, reflecting a 35.64 percent year-on-year increase and generating $3.621 billion in revenue.

The figures were detailed in a crop export status report released yesterday by the General Department of Agriculture under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).

According to the National Phytosanitary Database, the total export volume comprised 5 million tonnes of non-rice crops and 5.3 million tonnes of rice products—including 4.85 million tonnes of paddy rice and 493,000 tonnes of milled rice—shipped to destinations across Asia, Europe, and beyond.