The 7th Cambodia Rice Forum, organised by the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF), was held today in Phnom Penh under the theme, ‘Transforming the Cambodia Rice Supply Chain to be Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable’.

The opening event was presided over by H.E. Ms. Cham Nimol, Minister of Commerce, H.E. Mr. Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, H.E. Mr. Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation, and H.E. Mr. Derek Yip, Australian Ambassador to Cambodia. The closing ceremony was presided over by Prime Minister of Cambodia Samdech Hun Manet.

The forum was attended by about 400 participants, including government representatives, foreign dignitaries, exporters, international importers and CRF members.

Oknha Mr. Song Saran, Chairman of the CRF Board of Directors, said, ‘One of the primary objectives of the 7th Cambodia Rice Forum is to strengthen and expand Cambodia's rice supply chain in response to the evolving environmental landscape and global trends on enhancing environment, social responsibility and good governance. These are requirements for international rice exports, being implemented for the EU marketstarting in early 2026.’

Oknha Mr. Chan Sokheang, President of CRF, said, ‘The government promotes the Cambodia rice sector, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries focusing on rice variety development and cultivation techniques, the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation on standard quality and rice milling, and the Ministry of Commerce on market diversification and international outreach. This is done alongside relevant ministries, institutions, development partners and United Nations agencies. This has enabled Cambodia to expand its export market target, which has increased from 35 targets in 2010 to 121 targets in 2023.’

He added, ‘Cambodian rice has achieved international acclaim, winning the prestigious World’s Best Rice Award for Phka Rumduol five times – in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018 and 2022 – and the Golden Award for fragrant rice variety from China in 2023.’

Australian Ambassador Derek Yip said, ‘Australia has been working with Cambodia to support the growth of the agricultural sector since the 1960s. We are very pleased to see significant progress in Cambodia's rice sector with rice and paddy exports worth about US$1.8 billion in 2023.’

‘Australia is excited to continue our support, including through the Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED), to help Cambodian rice exporters find a global market for their luxury products and to promote sustainable agricultural production and processing,’ he added.

The Cambodia Rice Forum was held at the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, with Australia the primary sponsor through the CAPRED program.Other sponsors included Khmer Enterprise, Agriculture and Rural Development Bank and USAID-Feed the Future Cambodia Harvest III.

The forum was also supported by the following companies: ABA, FTB, ACLEDA, WING, AMK, PRINCE, Buhler(Cambodia) Ltd, KSRN Import & Export Co., Ltd, City Rice Import Export Co., Ltd, Suncue Company Ltd, Primalis Corporation Ltd, Signature Of Asia Co., Ltd, AMRU Rice (Cambodia) Co., LTd, K H M I (Cambodia) technology Co., Ltd, OMIC (Cambodia) Ltd, Control Union (Cambodia) Co., Ltd, Thmor Korl Rice Import Export Co., Ltd, Yin Mann Rice Mill, Cam Pest Control Co., Ltd, Golden Rice (Cambodia) Co., Ltd, STTR Co., Ltd, Angkor Bayon Rice Co., Ltd, Golden Star Rice Mill and Import Export Co., Ltd, Kampong Thom Rice Mill Limited, T.M.K Investment Co., Ltd, Agri Links Co., Ltd, Eang Heang Import Export Co., Ltd, Natural Agro Trade Co., Ltd, Lor Eak Heng Sek Meas Rice Co., Ltd, Fang Ly Rice Mill, R M A (Cambodia) PLC and Vong Bun Heng Import Export Co., Ltd.