The Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC) has taken steps to build new commercial relationships in France through meetings held alongside SIAL Paris 2026, the international food trade exhibition taking place from 17 to 21 October 2026 at Paris Nord Villepinte. The development could help Cambodian processors better understand European buyer expectations, although no new export contract has been confirmed.
Meetings with French cashew buyers
In an update dated 19 October 2026, CAC reported discussions with French businesses and Cambodian-French entrepreneurs. The association said it did not operate its own exhibition booth at SIAL Paris. Instead, its activities included business meetings, visits to shops serving Cambodian communities around Paris and exploration of potential buyer relationships.
CAC identified Daco Bello, a French dried-fruit and nut business, as a company that had expressed interest in Cambodian cashew nuts. According to CAC, a visit to Cambodia was being planned for the second week of November 2026 to examine processing factories, review certification requirements and discuss pricing. The visit was a plan at the time of the announcement, not a completed transaction.
CAC also reported introducing product samples and promotional materials from two member businesses to prospective contacts. The association said a French company and a wholesaler had begun contacting those Cambodian businesses. These initial contacts represent potential opportunities rather than confirmed purchase orders.
Cambodia’s presence at SIAL Paris
The broader exhibition runs from 17–21 October 2026. Separately from CAC’s buyer meetings, Cambodia has a national pavilion at Hall 7, Stand J-347, where Cambodian enterprises are showcasing products including cashews, pepper and dried fruit. Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Agriculture officials visited the pavilion on 19 October, according to the Cambodian state news agency AKP.
These activities should not be confused: CAC’s announcement concerns its own networking and meetings, while the Cambodian national pavilion is a separate exhibition initiative.
What this could mean for Cambodian processors
The discussions highlight practical requirements that can determine whether market interest develops into sustained exports: reliable quality, food-safety and other buyer-required certifications, traceability, appropriate drying and storage, competitive pricing, and consistent processing capacity.
For Cambodia, moving beyond raw-nut sales toward higher-value processed kernels depends not only on finding buyers but also on meeting their specifications and maintaining dependable supply. CAC president Silot Uon linked international engagement to improvements in quality, traceability and domestic processing capacity. CAC also highlighted Cambodia’s M23 cashew variety as a product it seeks to promote overseas.
Outlook
The reported November visit, if it takes place, could provide a more concrete opportunity to assess commercial fit. However, the scale of any potential orders, agreed prices and contract terms remain unconfirmed. Mato Cashew will distinguish future verified agreements from preliminary business discussions in subsequent coverage.
Image note: The accompanying hero image is AI-generated for illustration and does not depict an actual CAC meeting or SIAL Paris participants.