1. Kampong Speu Palm sugar, Cambodia: a focus on support to producers
Geographical Indications: Protecting “territory brands” for the benefit of rural producers
FAO / EU Regional workshop – « Quality and Origin » Bangkok – 8-11 June 2009
Kampong Speu Palm sugar, Cambodia: a focus on support to producers
Prepared by :
Prak Sereyvath, CEDAC (1)
Jean-Marie Brun, GRET (2)
Martine François, GRET (3)
June 2009
(1) National technical assistant, GI project
(2) Head of pilot project for the protection of Geographical Indications, GRET Cambodia
(3) Program manager, GRET France
(The pilot project for protection of Geographical Indications in Cambodia is led by Ministry of Commerce, in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. It receives financial support from AFD - French Agency for Development - and technical support from GRET and CEDAC)

2. Wild plant (Borassus Flabelifer) Approx. 15 m height (at its full age)
FAO-EC regional seminar on rural development and agricultural and
food quality linked to geographical origin in Asia, Bangkok June 2009
Palm tree (Doeum Thnoat) is recognized as the emblem of Cambodia after Angkor Wat
Wild plant (Borassus Flabelifer)
Approx. 15 m height (at its full age)
It takes generally 15 years before first harvest (sap, fruit,…).
It can stand for over a 100 years old.
Around 3 millions of palm tree in all Cambodia
Palm tree is generally the tree of the poor people and is still an under-exploited plant since centuries.
(The pilot project for protection of Geographical Indications in Cambodia is led by Ministry of Commerce, in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. It receives financial support from AFD - French Agency for Development - and technical support from GRET and CEDAC)

3. Palm sugar production is a long tradition of Kampong Speu province.
FAO-EC regional seminar on rural development and agricultural and
food quality linked to geographical origin in Asia, Bangkok June 2009
Palm sugar production is a long tradition of Kampong Speu province.
This area’s sandy soils and low rainfalls combine with the know-how of producers, make Kampong Speu Palm Sugar particularly tasty, concentrated and aromatic.
These specific characteristics provide notoriety to the product on the market and among consumers.
(The pilot project for protection of Geographical Indications in Cambodia is led by Ministry of Commerce, in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. It receives financial support from AFD - French Agency for Development - and technical support from GRET and CEDAC)

4. It can be produced and marketed in the following types: Sugar powder;
FAO-EC regional seminar on rural development and agricultural and
food quality linked to geographical origin in Asia, Bangkok June 2009
Kampong Speu Palm Sugar is characterized by its typical palm aroma and its light brown color.
It can be produced and marketed in the following types:
Sugar powder;
Sugar paste
Sugar block;
Sugar syrup.
Kampong Speu Palm Sugar GI because:
Its reputation on the markets and among consumers
Its specific characteristic linked to production area (sandy soil, low rainfall) and traditional know-how
Private economic actor, especially Confirel already started to promote the products even before the process of GI implementation in Cambodia
Producers interest and commitment
(The pilot project for protection of Geographical Indications in Cambodia is led by Ministry of Commerce, in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. It receives financial support from AFD - French Agency for Development - and technical support from GRET and CEDAC)

6. FAO-EC regional seminar on rural development and agricultural and
food quality linked to geographical origin in Asia, Bangkok June 2009
Supporting the producers toward the registration and protection of Kampon Speu Palm Sugar
Introduction of GI concept, legal framework development in Cambodia in protecting of GI products (by MoC, MAFF with the support from PGI project funded by AFD) to local producers, local and national stakeholders through meetings, workshops and study visit.
Setting up of a task force of 14 members (on 30 June 2008 through election process) comprising of representatives of producers and other operators
(The pilot project for protection of Geographical Indications in Cambodia is led by Ministry of Commerce, in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. It receives financial support from AFD - French Agency for Development - and technical support from GRET and CEDAC)

7. Discuss and draft the Book of Requirement
FAO-EC regional seminar on rural development and agricultural and
food quality linked to geographical origin in Asia, Bangkok June 2009
Regular working sessions and meetings organized amongst task force members and PGI project, MoC and MAFF staffs in order to:
Discuss and draft the statutes of GI association (or GI management organization)
Discuss and draft the Book of Requirement
Participate in GI zone delimitation with expert: 2 districts in Kg. Speu and 1 district in Kandal were delimited due to its sandy soils (> 0.8 m), good drainage and low rainfalls.
Organize consultation meeting on BoR with producers in all target villages
Do inventory of producers and exploited palm trees within the production zone
Develop work plan of the association
(The pilot project for protection of Geographical Indications in Cambodia is led by Ministry of Commerce, in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. It receives financial support from AFD - French Agency for Development - and technical support from GRET and CEDAC)

8. Association statutes were read and approved by the General Assembly
FAO-EC regional seminar on rural development and agricultural and
food quality linked to geographical origin in Asia, Bangkok June 2009
GI association foundation assembly conducted on 29/11/08 after 5 months of preparation work of the task force:
Association statutes were read and approved by the General Assembly
Board and executive committee members were elected
The Board and executive committee continue to work on BoR
2 next assemblies conducted in January 2009 to examine and approve on association work plan and BoR
Village general meetings conducted again in all target villages in order to disseminate the BoR to producers
(The pilot project for protection of Geographical Indications in Cambodia is led by Ministry of Commerce, in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. It receives financial support from AFD - French Agency for Development - and technical support from GRET and CEDAC)

9. FAO-EC regional seminar on rural development and agricultural and
food quality linked to geographical origin in Asia, Bangkok June 2009
Reinforcement of the quality improvement amongst all members enable them to follow the BoS: training on production techniques, proper use of production tools, improved cook stove making…
The quality control system established, the auto control (control made by producers and processors themselves) and internal control by KSPA are implementing
Proceed for official registration of Kampong Speu Palm Sugar as a PGI product under the ministerial Prakas /decree (issued on 18/05/09)
(The pilot project for protection of Geographical Indications in Cambodia is led by Ministry of Commerce, in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. It receives financial support from AFD - French Agency for Development - and technical support from GRET and CEDAC)

10. FAO-EC regional seminar on rural development and agricultural and
food quality linked to geographical origin in Asia, Bangkok June 2009
Production and Commercialization of KSPA members within GI production zone in 2008
Among members of KSPA1
Total of GI production zone2
Number of producers
142
arr. 10,0004
Number of exploited trees
3,518
261,898
Annual production volume (Tonnes)
250 – 350
arr. 18,0003
Volume sold to processing enterprises (packaged and labeled product), in Tonne
55 – 70
Volume sold to other operators (non packaged and labeled products), in Tonne
195 – 280
the rest
1: data 2008 from KSPA and GI support project
2: data 2003 from district offices of agriculture, the nb. of palm trees have been significantly decreased after 2003
3: estimation: 1 exploited tree = 70 kg/year 4: estimation in average 25 trees per producer
(The pilot project for protection of Geographical Indications in Cambodia is led by Ministry of Commerce, in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. It receives financial support from AFD - French Agency for Development - and technical support from GRET and CEDAC)

12. Authentic products around palm tree