Association reports staggering prahok production numbers

From 500 kilograms in 2017 to nearly 2 tonnes last year, production has quadrupled at the Khmer Prahok Standard Association due to rising local demand for the pungent fish paste.

Most of that production went to feed rising demand inside Siem Reap province, with the rest going mostly to Phnom Penh, said Yin Samnang, chairperson of the Khmer Prahok Standard Association.

“Despite the fact that prahok is considered a traditional Cambodian product, our market is quite small,” Mr Samnang said. “How much we produce depends on how many orders we get.”

Located in Chong Knea commune, Siem Reap, the Khmer Prahok Standard Association was formed early 2017 with funds from the Asian Development Bank in collaboration with the Fisheries Administration in a project to support small communities producing prahok for local markets.

Geographical indication (GI) status is being sought for Siem Reap prahok fish paste after the Industry Ministry granted approval for a national standard.

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