A small business with humble beginnings in Pursat province is now making waves in Cambodia’s fisheries sector and beyond. 

Unica, a local enterprise which specialises in processed fisheries products, is poised to enter international markets after years of strategic innovation and support from the CAPFISH-Capture project.

“I started with a group of women from floating villages in Pursat province, buying their products at a higher price than the market rate to compete in the natural market in Phnom Penh,” explained Lep Mary, founder of Unica.

She added that, along with providing incomes, her focus also includes health considerations. 

Mary collaborates with many women-led communities, working on both fresh and saltwater fish products, as well as a small supply of free-range chicken.

Due to the lack of a consistent supply of fish in Pursat province, Mary continues to work with groups of freshwater fish farmers. 

She is also expanding to more provinces, partnering with communities in Pursat, Siem Reap, Kampong Thom, Kampong Cham, Koh Kong, Sihanoukville, Kampot and Battambang provinces.

“When Unica starts working with a community, we not only purchase their products but also ensure the products are of good quality, the raw materials are safe and the packaging meets our standards,” she said.

This approach reflects how Mary has applied the skills she gained through the UNIDO CAPFISH-Capture project, including certifications like the Cambodia Quality Seal (CQS) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). 

The enterprise employs 10 people, 70 percent of them, and has forged strong partnerships with local fishermen, processors and distributors. Yousos Apdoulrashim

She continued to train these communities to meet high standards. In 2024, she trained 128 members of eight communities, with a focus on good hygiene practices.

Founded in 2014, Unica started as a modest operation.

Today, the company is a key supplier of premium fishery products in Phnom Penh, where it serves 12 markets and is planning to expand to eight more. 

The enterprise employs 10 people, 70 per cent of them women, and has forged strong partnerships with local fishermen, processors and distributors.

“Our goal has always been to elevate Cambodian fishery products to world-class standards,” Mary told The Post.

“We began with a mission to empower local communities, and now we’re taking steps to ensure our products reach global markets,” she continued, adding “We have already received positive feedback during pilot tests in South Korea and New Zealand, and we are confident our products will perform well globally.”

Unica’s product lineup includes dried fish, fish paste, smoked fish and fillets, catering to a premium customer base in the capital. 

To meet rising demand, the enterprise invested in automated capping machines and upgraded its packaging facilities, with a focus on food safety and environmental sustainability. 

Lep Mary shows some of Unica’s products to Has Sareth (right), secretary of state at the agriculture ministry, and Chhoun Chamnan, director of the department of Fisheries Post-harvest Technologies and Quality Control (DFPTQ) of the FiA. Yousos Apdoulrashim

Unica, one of five outstanding factories, enterprises, and handicrafts, was rewarded the “5S Productivity Achievement Awards 2024” by the National Productivity Center of Cambodia (NPCC) of the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation.

Speaking at the award ceremony on December 27, innovation minister Hem Vanndy said, “The ‘5S’ Productivity Achievement Awards Programme is designed to promote a national movement for productivity improvement”. 

“Through this programme, the ministry aims to enhance production management capabilities across small, medium and large enterprises, including traditional handicraft businesses, fostering sustainable and efficient development to contribute to Cambodia's economic and industrial growth,” he added.

Now in its ninth year, the “5S Productivity Achievement Awards” recognises organisations that have successfully implemented the 5S methodology – Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardise and Sustain.​

Unica’s transformation would not have been possible without the support of the CAPFISH-Capture project, an initiative funded by the EU and implemented by UNIDO. 

The project aims to modernise Cambodia’s fisheries sector by providing technical assistance, training, and market linkages to enterprises like Unica.

“CAPFISH-Capture has been instrumental in helping us achieve our goals,” said Mary. “From facility upgrades to branding and certifications, the project has prepared us to meet the demands of international buyers.”

Sok Narin, UNIDO representative to Cambodia, explained that the organisation supports 55 enterprises nationwide, particularly in areas surrounding the Tonle Sap Lake.

Lep Mary introduces the read-to-cook fish fillet to ministry officials. Yousos Apdoulrashim

He noted that the fish processing enterprises have benefited from support in knowledge enhancement, improvements to their production facilities and access to essential equipment for their operations.

“We are working with the Fisheries Administration (FiA) to strengthen the quality control system, aligning it with technical regulations sufficient for fisheries officials,” Narin said. 

“Together, we have developed the Cambodia Quality Seal (CQS) to ensure product safety,” he added.

However, he acknowledged the challenges these enterprises face in the processing chain, including limited access to capital, knowledge and technology.

“Through the CAPFISH-Capture project, we have provided enterprises with knowledge, skills, and equipment,” he said. 

“Unica is one of the 55 enterprises we have supported, and it serves as a model that other enterprises can learn from.”

Narin emphasised that success ultimately depends on the enterprise owners themselves. While UNIDO has provided support through its projects, he stressed that strong domestic customer support is crucial. 

This, he added, allows business owners to expand their production capabilities to meet growing demand.

Through CAPFISH-Capture, Unica has become fully certified under CQS standards and has increased sales by 20 per cent and revenue by 30 per cent. 

The enterprise has also created 50 percent more jobs along its value chain, all of which have been filled by women. 

In addition, it has signed agreements with major domestic retailers like Macro and Lucky Supermarket and is exploring new export opportunities.

Staffs process fish into packaged products at the Unica plant. Yousos Apdoulrashim

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has also played a key role in fostering an export-ready fisheries sector.

With preparations underway for the CQS audit, which could open the EU market for Cambodian seafood, government officials are optimistic about the future.

Chhoun Chamnan, director of the department of Fisheries Post-harvest Technologies and Quality Control (DFPTQ) of the FiA, explained that the CAPFISH-Capture project is a government project implemented by the FiA in collaboration with UNIDO, with funding from the EU to help develop the fisheries sector in a sustainable and inclusive manner.

“The success of enterprises like Unica demonstrates the effectiveness of our efforts to modernise Cambodia’s fisheries sector,” said Chamnan. 

“We remain committed to supporting these businesses as they drive economic growth and job creation.”