The Khmer Prahok Powder Processing Craft, which has been certified for quality and safety in accordance with international food safety standards and is known across the EU, was officially inaugurated on Monday, September 8.
The inauguration took place at the launch of the Roadshow on Fisheries Products, co-organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the EU and UNIDO, through the CAPFISH Capture post-harvest fisheries development project.
Ministry secretary of state Has Sareth represented agriculture minister Dith Tina at the event.
He described the inauguration as not only reflecting the capacity of the enterprise, but also serving as a testament to the effective cooperation between public institutions and the private sector in promoting Cambodia’s food sector.
It also underscored joint efforts to business growth and the contribution of the Cambodian fisheries sector to sustainable and environmentally friendly economic development.
“Confirel’s production of prahok powder has been proudly modernised and improved by using local raw materials, in this case Siem Reap Prahok, a GI brand. Under the CAPFISH-Capture project, Confirel is promoting its innovative Prahok flour to international markets,” he said.
He noted that the Royal Government of Cambodia has worked hard and focused on product diversification and expansion of export markets, as well as promoting Cambodian agricultural products to a wider international market. With the support of development partners such as CAPFISH-Capture, which has helped the prahok powder producer to achieve HACCP certification, a quality and safe food safety management system in accordance with international food safety standards.
Hay Ly Eang, president and founder of Confirel, explained that the project was launched in February 2023, with the vision of promoting traditional Khmer prahok by converting it into a powder form for ease of use and safe packaging.
This new discovery not only contributes to the preservation of the excellent taste of Khmer prahok, but also improves the ease of use, storage and hygiene which makes Khmer Confirel prahok prominent in domestic and international markets.
He noted that the main problem of prahok is the smell. His company has not only discovered how to eliminate its pungent odour, but has reduced its histamine levels by three to four times, as this substance causes headaches and high blood pressure. In addition, salt levels have been lowered by four or five times.
“These reductions mean our prahok meets international standards. It also allows us to use prahok in many other products, such as pizza … which has Khmer taste and is an internationally recognised invention,” he said.
The factory is located in Bak Kheng village, Prek Leap commune, Chroy Changvar district, Phnom Penh, and covers 2,400 square metres. It has the capacity to produce 5,000 cups of prahok flour, equivalent to 1 tonne of fresh prahok, per day. This is then processed into 330 kilogrammes of prahok powder. In the future, this figure is expected to grow to two or three tonnes per day to meet international demand.
Ly Eang said that with the support of the CAPFISH-Capture project, the handicraft has developed and modernised production to increase productivity and competitiveness in the global market, in line with the vision of exporting to the EU and other markets.
The company is currently working closely with the authorities to prepare for the DG SANTE audit, which approves the EU Food Safety Agency for Cambodia’s Fisheries Exports.
The Royal Government of Cambodia delegate in charge of the Fisheries Administration, Poum Sotha, said 63 enterprises are supported by CAPFISH-Capture through technical support, processing equipment and loans provided by Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC).
“Prahok is part of the traditional food identity of the Cambodian people and also a major source of protein. Transforming prahok into powder makes it easy to store and cook with. HACCP certified prahok powders are also being exported to European markets. In 2024, companies sold 10,000 jars per month in Cambodian supermarkets,” he said.
He noted that in 2024, about 470,000 tonnes of freshwater fish, the key ingredient for prahok, was harvested in Cambodia. He believed this figure would increase in 2025 and 2026, meaning raw materials will not be an issue for the company.
CAPFISH-Capture is funded by the EU and the Fisheries Administration, and implemented by UNIDO.
EU ambassador to Cambodia Igor Driesman also attended the event. He said the EU is proud to support these efforts, and to contribute in the boosting of local processing work, creating decent jobs and upholding food safety standards that pave the way for increased exports.
He hoped that they all agreed that that the EU CAPFISH project has delivered meaningful and long-lasting results. As the largest bilateral initiative funded by the EU to support Cambodia and its enterprises working on fishery products, EU CAPFISH has helped meet national food safety standards.
“This in turn has enabled local products gain popularity, replacing imports and signalling rapid sectoral progress. With their availability in the local market, the food safety standard met, several enterprises are actively exploring international markets and the industry is now well-positioned for the upcoming EU DG SANTE audit, an important step towards accessing European markets,” he said.
