CapFish-Capture celebrates Cambodia's local fish cuisine

With the support of the European Union (EU), the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) organized the evening "Cambodia's fish cuisine: a CAPFISH-Capture culinary show" on February 5, 2025.

This evening was preceded, in the morning, by a ceremony to highlight the 23 companies, including Confirel, involved in the CapFish program intended with the financial support of the EU to develop the export of fishery products from the kingdom to Europe.

With the invention of Kirum prahok powder, Confirel is a driving force in the CapFish program, one of the major objectives of which is to finance the upgrading of fishery products to European standards and their traceability.

Thanks to the spirit of innovation that has characterized Confirel since its creation, the development of a dehydrated form of prahôk, the fermented fish paste emblematic of Cambodian culinary tradition, Confirel opens the doors of international markets to this product for the first time, both in terms of health standards and gastronomy.

The introduction of the CamTrace digital traceability system will mark an important step in improving the quality control of ecported products. This innovative system will help ensure compliance with national and international food safety standards, thus strengthening Cambodia's position on national and global markets. 

Attended by more than 100 guests – representatives from the European Union, UNIDO, the Ministry, government agencies and European ambassadors – the culinary show featured innovative dishes from renowned chefs from the Academy of Culinary Arts of Cambodia (ACAC), including sushi and sashimi made from local fish, highlighting the diversity of Cambodian fish products and the importance of sustainable consumption.

With the help of the teams at the Penh House Hotel, Confirel proposed a tasting of 5 dishes based on Kirum Prahok Powder. The 5 dishes were: prahok cheese, prahok croquettes (fish balls fries) with prahok and tamarind sauce, prahok ballotine, prahok ktiss canapés, and beef steak with prahok sauce.

According to Sébastien Franco, General Manager of the Penh House Hotel, he ‘had a chat with the guests, who were all pleasantly surprised by the different dishes we offered. They were pretty impressed, so it was a successful challenge for me and my team!

To conclude this eventful day, Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, gave of his person by cooking a dish himself, in front of delighted guests.

According to Mr Gunther Beger, Director General of UNIDO, "collaboration with the Ministry and local stakeholders is essential to foster innovation in the fisheries sector, ensuring that it remains dynamic and competitive. Together, we can bring about positive change and ensure a prosperous future for all Cambodians". As fish contributes 76% of household protein intake, Cambodia's fisheries sector plays a crucial role in national food security and supports around two million jobs.

Kirum Prahok Powder will soon benefit from an international patent to protect this invention. Later this year, the European Union will authorize the sale of Cambodian fish products, including our prahok.