CP Cambodia Co Ltd last Thursday opened a new state-of-the-art food processing factory in Kampot province as the leading agro-industrial and food conglomerate further raises the standard of food production in the Kingdom.

Cambodia’s Minister of Interior Sar Kheng and Kampot provincial governor Mao Thunin joined CP Cambodia senior vice-president Wittaya Kreangkriwit, Mr. Preeda Chunwong, vice chairman, and CP Management and Thai Ambassador to Cambodia HE Panyarak Poolthup, as well as other dignitaries and guests of honour, at the official opening ceremony.

Sar Kheng praised the creation of the more than $5 million facility in Kampot’s Chomkiri district – which sits on five hectares and employs around one hundred people – for supplying more tasty, fresh, hygienic food to the Cambodian market, creating jobs and aiding food security.

“CP Cambodia’s presence in the Kingdom contributes to the supply of fresh meat, as well as hygienic and affordable food products.

“CP is creating job opportunities and helping reducing migration, while the establishment of this food processing plant is responding to a shortage of food production in the Kingdom.

“May the company continue to support Cambodia and set up more food processing factories throughout the country and provide technical knowledge to other institutions and ministries, as well as the people,” said Sar Kheng.

‘High quality, hygienic, nutritious’

CP has said the current rise in food demand due to increased population in line with economic growth had pushed the leading global agro-industrial and food conglomerate to establish the food processing factory in Cambodia, one which boasts the highest international standards.

“It’s a great honour for Charoen Pokphand Food – CPF – to open this food processing factory in Kampot. Having been operating in the agro-industry and food business in Thailand for more than 100 years, CPF has the vision of being the ‘Kitchen of the World’.

“We are committed to providing high quality, hygienic and nutritious products with social responsibility and sustainable development. We aim to provide Cambodians with access to hygienic and safe foods to develop society based on social and environmental responsibility.

“We have a business philosophy called ‘three beneficial principles for sustainability’, which puts the interests of the country and the people before the interests of the company,” said Wittaya.

CP Cambodia has been operating in the Kingdom for more than 26 years, having began in 1996, and its businesses are divided into three categories – animal feed, animal husbandry and food.

It also operates several retail and food businesses, such as CP Fresh Mart, CP Fresh Shop, Five Star and Star Coffee.

Wittaya said the key principles to produce quality meat focus on five issues – animal health from high standard farms; management to reduce animal stress; clean and hygienic places and equipment; high standard processing with the right animal welfare; and clean storage at a cool temperature.

Ambassador Panyarak hailed the opening of the new food processing facility as a “most significant” milestone.

“I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations to CP Food for its continued success and its developments in its business in Cambodia.

“The opening of this CP Cambodia food processing factory in Kampot province is one of the most significant milestones of CPF’s business in Cambodia, with the aim of enhancing the standards of food production in the Kingdom.

“CPF is the company from Thailand which has great cooperation with the Thai government. CPF puts importance on research and development to develop Thai food to become known worldwide.

“This is a great opportunity, and CPF and Cambodia will collaborate to develop Cambodian food products and improve food industry standards,” he said.

CP Food’s commitment to benefiting the people of the Kingdom is also reflected by it signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chea Sim University of Kamchaymear.

“For the collaboration with the Chea Sim University of Kamchaymear, CP Cambodia transfers technology and knowledge to students, and provides job opportunities regarding the agro-industrial and food business to the Cambodian people,” said Wittaya.

‘Kitchen of the World’

To fulfil the sustainable vision of becoming the “Kitchen of the World”, CP Food says it places significant importance on research and development to improve production efficiency at every step of operations.

It is additionally committed to developing products to meet the needs of consumers and ensure customer satisfaction, as well as operating its business with the highest levels of environment friendliness while contributing back to society at large.

With a focus on “Feed, Farm and Food”, and distribution of products, both wholesale and retail, on the basis of social and environmental responsibility, these businesses cover a wide range of areas.

CPF has invested in more than 16 countries and distributes its products to more than 40 countries worldwide.

Manufacturing and delivering products and services to Phnom Penh and all the provinces of Cambodia, the company has more than 2,000 employees and over 1,000 customers across all sectors.

CP Cambodia says it plans to expand its food processing plants in the Kingdom with another three to open, bringing the highest standards of quality, safety and hygiene to meet the needs of the Cambodian people.

“CP Cambodia will into the future continue to focus on providing nutritious products of high quality and good hygiene, coupled with social responsibility and sustainable development.

“With this new food processing factory, we are able to further close the gap between the farmer and the consumer with the highest international standards. All the processes here will meet ISO and HACCP standards.

“CP Cambodia is committed to taking care of Cambodians regarding health and hygiene – we believe that ‘good food will enrich life’,” said Wittaya.