Cambodian rice firm secures major Australian export deal

PHNOM PENH, March 7, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodian rice exporter Amru Rice has signed a contract to supply around 400 metric tonnes of premium fragrant jasmine rice to The Green Group, one of Australia’s largest food distributors, in a deal covering January to June 2026.

The shipment was officially dispatched from Amru Rice’s Phnom Penh processing plant at a ceremony attended by Australian Ambassador Derek Yip and company co-founder and CEO Oknha Song Saran.

The agreement, backed by Australian initiatives to expand Cambodian agri-food exports, follows Amru Rice’s participation in a 2023 trade promotion visit and support from the Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED).

Ambassador Yip said the deal reflects deepening trade ties, offering Australian consumers high-quality Cambodian products while supporting inclusive growth in Cambodia.

Saran hailed the partnership as a “milestone” for Amru Rice’s entry into the Australian market, stressing its commitment to sustainable farming and value-added processing.

The deal comes as bilateral trade reached US$1.2 billion in 2025, including US$850 million in Cambodian exports.

Cambodia shipped a record 940,000 metric tonnes of milled rice last year, worth US$602 million. Australia’s rice market, valued at US$5.7 billion in 2024, is projected to grow to US$7.1 billion by 2033, driven by demand for premium and specialty varieties.

The Green Group first visited Cambodia in 2024 and signed an MoU with Amru Rice in early 2025. Managing Director Nelson Green said the partnership’s success depended on close teamwork, thanking Ambassador Yip for his support.

Australia has supported Cambodia’s rice sector for more than 30 years, providing research, technology and inputs to strengthen processing, expand exports and promote sustainable production.