Industry minister urges local food producers to promote Khmer cuisine on a global scale

H.E. Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation, has encouraged local food producers to leverage the expertise of culinary professionals to advance innovation and international recognition of Khmer cuisine. He underscored the significance of showcasing Cambodia's diverse flavors to a global audience.

The Minister made these remarks during a visit to PPF Yummy Manufacturing on 6 August, where he toured the facility in Sen Sok district

This information was released by the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI) in a news statement, which also said that he described the visit as an opportunity to encourage the company and gain a deeper understanding of its operations, while also exploring ways in which the ministry can support food producers.

The statement reports that PPF Yummy Manufacturing, founded in 2021, has evolved from a family-run online business into a thriving enterprise. The company now produces eight ready-to-eat products, including prahok ktis (weaver ant fish paste) and prahok trei cha'er, as well as a selection of ready-to-cook items such as marinated pork ribs, ground beef skewers, and beef kebabs.

These products are available for purchase in local and major supermarkets, as well as select restaurants across the country. In May 2024, the company commenced export sales to Korea. "We have already exported 500 kg of products to South Korea and our objective is to expand our exports to five countries in the near future," stated the company's General Manager, Chea Chetra.

The facility currently produces between 300 and 500 bottles of Cambodian food paste and culinary products daily

Plans are in place to expand the range to include cooking sauces, dipping sauces, dry foods for Khmer Hamok (also known as Amok), Khmer noodles and Khmer desserts.

During the visit, H.E. Hem Vanndy praised the company for its achievements and commitment to quality and standards. He highlighted the importance of the company's motto, "Khmer Can Do," which encompasses not only product creation but also effective marketing. This reinforces the competitiveness of Cambodian-made products in both local and international markets. He encouraged other local food producers to enhance food quality standards, hygiene, and safety by drawing inspiration from PPF Yummy Manufacturing.

The minister set out a number of key areas for the company's development, including improvements in hygiene and standards, the study of product flavours from neighbouring countries with a view to creating unique tastes, and the incorporation of health-promoting components while providing detailed nutritional information on product labels. He emphasised the importance of extending product shelf-life, ensuring affordability, and maintaining rigorous quality control measures to prevent any incidents that could harm the company's reputation.

PPF Yummy Manufacturing was described as a "mega magnet," highlighting its role in creating employment opportunities not only for its 30 employees but also for numerous farmers supplying raw materials.

H.E. Hem Vanndy emphasised the importance of developing an ecosystem that maintains quality and quantity standards in production, with a focus on future demand

In his recommendations, he also encouraged the company to collaborate with research institutions, including laboratories and universities, to engage in joint research and development aimed at creating innovative food products and advancing food technologies. He highlighted MISTI's support for the private sector in registering intellectual property for their innovations and urged the private sector to take advantage of MISTI's other public services.