Harvest III: Mission accomplished for Confirel

Selected in 2023 by the American cooperation agency USAID to join the Harvest III program aimed at supporting the development of agricultural production and processing in Cambodia, Confirel has just concluded all of its commitments.

These were four in number: development of new products and new production lines, strengthening food safety standards at its production site, contribution to the training of farmers in pre- and post-production in the pepper, palm sugar, mango and cocoa sectors, signing supply contracts with farmers and producer associations.

Among the achievements linked to this program is the installation of a chocolate production line which now allows Confirel to collaborate with Marou, a chocolate producer based in Vietnam and renowned in Europe. This collaboration aims to produce chocolate in Cambodia with cocoa from the country for the local and international market, while offering training opportunities to its employees to improve product quality. To this end, thousands of cocoa trees have been planted this year, with an ambitious target of one million plants over the next five years. This project aims to provide more cocoa beans and create jobs for Cambodian farmers.

The company has also continued to develop new mango-based products, including rolls and slices, with an initial production of 500 tonnes. Although this figure is modest, it represents the start of a pilot project aimed at reaching 1000 tonnes in the next three years.

A crucial aspect of the Harvest 3 project was training on organic and ISO 22000 standards. This training was essential to prepare Confirel for an audit, thereby ensuring compliance with European market requirements. In addition, thanks to obtaining a Korean organic certification, Confirel has seen its sales increase in the organic market in Korea. Harvest 3's support has also enabled Confirel to explore the American market, with initial orders from several customers.

The achievement of the Harvest 3 program's objectives allows Confirel to establish itself as a key player in sustainable development in Cambodia, thanks to its innovative initiatives and its commitment to quality and compliance with international standards. This helps to consolidate the company's mission to improve the lives of local farmers while strengthening its presence on global markets.

The Harvest 3 program was scheduled to last 5 years. However, the suspension of international development aid and the closure of USAID announced by the government of Donald Trump call this timetable into question. Having fulfilled its commitments, Confirel will not be affected by these decisions.