Cambodia's post-harvest fisheries

Cambodian fisheries sector has traditionally been a significant source of food and nutrition, employment, trade, culture, and economic and social benefits are still making a substantial contribution to socioeconomic development today. Inland fisheries are among the most productive and diversified in the world, with the majority of fish harvest coming from the Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia's largest lake. Cambodians consume fish at an estimated at 45.75 kg fish/capita in 2020 after reaching a peak of 63.2 kg/capita in 2011, with women accounting for 70% of the total fisheries and aquaculture workforce. Around three million people (20 percent of the population) rely directly on fisheries for sustenance and livelihood and post-harvest activities employ an estimated 33,000 persons, the majority of whom are women. As a result, the contribution of the sector to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is about 10 percent.

Prior to 2019, the supply of postharvest fish and fishery products were severely constrained, resulting in non-competitive products regarding price, safety, and quality in local, regional, and global markets, as well as a general lack of competitiveness within the sector. The main challenges identified include informality (characterized by a low rate of official registration), inadequate compliance capabilities, low productivity, poor quality, limited product value addition and diversification, and a lack of new techniques and processing equipment.

Underlying factors contributing to these challenges include inadequate infrastructure, ineffective management and business skills, a lack of standardized processing techniques, limited access to capital, and relatively low customer demand, coupled with a reluctance to pay for high-quality products. In processing of traditional fish products, further postharvest losses arise from issues such as mold, insect infestations, and spoilage prior to processing. Improving traditional fish-based products can help stimulate demand for higher-quality fish for human consumption, thereby improving a nation's fish utilization.

These challenges are being addressed by the CAPFish-Capture: Postharvest Fisheries Development project, funded by the EU and implemented by UNIDO and the Fisheries Administration (FiA), initiated to contribute to the development of the postharvest fishery sector through upgrading the regulatory and institutional system and by adopting better practices and innovation by the private sector. From September 2019 to December 2025, the project allocated $2 million and leveraged an additional $3 million for business improvements, particularly upgrading processing facilities and practices to comply with food safety standards such as the Cambodia Quality Seal (CQS) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), as well as market requirements. Nineteen (19) fishery business operators (FBOs) obtained CQS certification, and 4 FBOs achieved HACCP certification, positioning them for the upcoming DG-SANTE audit in 2026. Additionally, approximately 60 business operators and 400 individuals in the value chain enhanced their hygiene and sanitation practices, transitioning from wet markets to higher-end markets. Recently, Cambodia successfully exported fish products to China and assisted local businesses in expanding their reach from local to global markets, enabling exports to Australia, New Zealand, Korea, and the USA.