From October 1 to 12, the AJFVC Project Team conducted a survey in Thailand and Cambodia to evaluate the food value chain and create marketing strategies for ASEAN GAP and National GAPs.
In Thailand and Cambodia, the landscape of food distribution is as diverse as their cultures, with supermarkets, bustling markets, and production sites all showcasing GAP products. In Thailand, QGAP-certified items are on the shelves of high-end supermarkets, regular grocery stores, and wholesale markets. In contrast, only high-end supermarkets in Cambodia sell CamGAP products, all marked with the CamGAP seal.
Thailand’s aspiration to become “the kitchen of the world” has resulted in a significant number of certifications, as QGAP is essential for exports and Thai producers are committed to ensuring safe food through GAP. However, it seems that many Cambodian farmers encounter difficulties in meeting GAP standards and prioritize the economic advantages of contract farming over certification.
Both countries have limited direct consumer outreach, but the ASEAN framework has received positive feedback. There is a clear opportunity for further development and collaboration to enhance consumer engagement and strengthen the region’s overall food value chain.
