Phnom penh: Kirirom Food Production (KFP) Co., Ltd., a Cambodian company, has exported its first shipment of 20 metric tonnes of natural dried mangoes to Australia. This marks the beginning of a long-term trade agreement (2024-2030) between KFP and a major Australia-based wholesale distributor, setting the stage for the supply of Cambodian dried mangoes to major retailers across Australia, as confirmed by a press release from the Australian Embassy in Phnom Penh dated Nov. 7.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, this export partnership highlights the strengthening cooperation between Australia and Cambodia. It showcases how targeted support and private sector partnerships can create new market opportunities and enhance the competitiveness of Cambodia's agri-food sector. Australian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia, H.E. Derek Yip, emphasized that this export aligns with Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, which seeks to deepen economic collaboration between Australia and Southeast Asia.
KFP Managing Director Ms. Dalis Chhorn expressed her enthusiasm about bringing Cambodian mangoes to Australian consumers. She noted that the partnership with Australia not only benefits the company's more than 1,700 employees-60 percent of whom are women-but also boosts smallholder farmer income and enhances Cambodia's reputation for quality produce.
The press release further indicates that the deal was facilitated by support from Australia through the Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED) programme, which aided KFP in enhancing its export readiness and strengthening business connections with Australia.
In addition, this milestone coincides with the establishment of Cambodia's first mango pur©e production line at KFP, with technical support from Australia. This new facility enables the conversion of mango waste into valuable products, allowing KFP to purchase mangoes of all sizes from farmers for processing into puree and juice, catering to both local and international markets.
The embassy reiterated Australia's commitment to assisting Cambodian enterprises in expanding their export capabilities. In 2024, bilateral trade between Cambodia and Australia reached US$1.1 billion, with over 70 percent of this trade comprising Cambodian exports to Australia.
The shipment of 20 tonnes follows recent exports of dried fruits and processed cashews by Royal Trust Trading and milled rice by Amru Rice. The embassy underlined Australia's dedication to supporting inclusive, sustainable, and resilient economic growth in Cambodia and assisting its agricultural producers in processing more agrifoods domestically for export to high-value global markets.