Cambodia's Fisheries Sector Set for Global Expansion: Key Steps Towards Export Compliance

Ensuring the safety and integrity of fish and fishery products for all is the FiA's top priority. With technical support from UNIDO, FiA has implemented a comprehensive food safety system and official control aligned with the EU standards, facilitating exports while safeguarding public health. 

“Implementing this system has enabled Cambodia to export fish and fishery products to international markets such as China, Australia, New Zealand, and other ASEAN member countries, driven by rising demand from Cambodian and Asian communities abroad,” stated H.E. Poum Sotha, Director General of the FiA. 

In this direction, the FiA is establishing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with many of these countries to enhance global market access. This requires building the necessary capacity of the Fisheries Competent Authority (FCA) to ensure that fish and fishery products meet hygiene and safety standards set by the importing countries. 

To meet the export requirements, the FiA has issued “Technical Requirements for Official Control and Inspection of Quality and Safety of Fish and Fishery Products," adopted on 22 March 2024 for export control. UNIDO's Chief Technical Advisor, Dr. Shetty Seetharama Thombathu, emphasized that “while this document is currently voluntary, it becomes mandatory for those operators who intend to export their fish and fishery products to the EU and other global markets”.

“The FCA is preparing for the upcoming audit by the EU Directorate General for Health and Food Safety (DG-SANTE), having submitted the official requests and necessary documentation," said Dr. Chhoun Chamnan, Director of Fisheries Post-harvest Technology and Quality Control (DFPTQ) of the FiA. 

H.E. Poum Sotha called on all stakeholders in the fishery value chains to collaborate with the FCA to implement all necessary food safety requirements and follow the required processes, from application submission to obtaining the export approval ID. "It is complicated but worthwhile because if Cambodia passes the DG-SANTE audit, the country will have easier access to other markets. With the EU recognition, Cambodia is proud to have improved its standing in international markets and drawn more investment in its post-harvest fisheries," he explained.  

The FCA of FiA intends to invite the DG SANTE audit to list Cambodia for low-risk products, including fish sauce and fermented and dried fish products sourced from inland wild-capture fisheries. 

Ends – 

For more information, please contact:

1.  Dr. Chhoun Chamnan, Director of the Department of Fisheries Post-harvest Technologies and Quality Control (DFPTQ) of the Fisheries Administration (FiA): chhounchamnan@gmail.com
2. Mr. Samruol IM, National Communication and Visibility Expert for the CAPFISH-Capture project: S.IM@unido.org