While Kampot province is known for its durian and world-famous pepper, another high-value crop is quietly making waves: vanilla. In the fertile lands of Teuk Chhou district, specifically Trapeang Skor village in Trapeang Sangke commune, vanilla cultivation is proving both viable and lucrative, with top-quality vanilla beans selling for over US$1,000 per kilo.
Mr Sao Vichet, an expert from Farm Ling, revealed that vanilla is a rare and delicate crop to grow in Cambodia. The plant requires specific climatic and geographical conditions to thrive, making large-scale cultivation a challenge.
However, after more than a decade of research and experimentation, the company has successfully established a productive vanilla farm in Kampot. The company began with a small-scale trial, planting 200 to 300 vines from different countries.
Different varieties were tested for adaptability, with some proving easier to manage than others. Ultimately, only one variety - vanilla tahitensis - showed strong growth and high yields in the Kampot environment.
Due to the labour-intensive cultivation and processing requirements, the beans command a premium price, often exceeding US$1,000 per kilogram.
Vanilla cultivation is very labour intensive. Expert care is required from pollination to harvest. The flowering period alone takes seven months, followed by a meticulous curing process that lasts another two to three months.
Once harvested, the beans are sun-dried for two hours a day before being wrapped in cloth and stored in controlled conditions. The beans are then regularly massaged to enhance their oil content and aroma, a process that can take up to a year from flowering to final sale.
"The difficulty of growing and processing vanilla is what makes it so valuable," explains Mr Sao Vichet.
"It requires constant attention from specialists throughout the growing cycle Vanilla is widely used in the food and fragrance industries, serving as a key ingredient in chocolates, ice cream, baked goods and perfumes. It is also prized for its health benefits, being rich in antioxidants and protein.”
Recognising the potential of vanilla farming, Teuk Chhou District Governor Mr Im Chan Sothorn encouraged the company to develop the plantation as an agro-tourism destination, similar to Kampot's famous pepper farms.
He also urged Farm Ling to share its cultivation techniques with local farmers interested in vanilla cultivation, thereby promoting economic development in the region.
With Kampot already synonymous with high-quality agricultural products, vanilla could become the province's next big export - bringing international recognition and economic benefits to local farmers.
By K. Rithy Reak - AKP
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