According to Cambodian media reports [3], Chinese company Zhengzhou Chen’s Sun Group [4] and Cambodian company Nongde Agricultural Development Co. Ltd. have signed a memorandum of understanding to import fruits and vegetables worth $30 million from Cambodia to China’s Henan province over the next two years.

On the afternoon of Sept. 10, representatives from both companies formalized the agreement in a signing ceremony attended by Cham Nimul, Cambodia’s Minister of Commerce, and Zheng Haiyang, vice governor of Henan province.

Cham encouraged Chinese investors to expand their investments and business activities in Cambodia and urged companies from both countries to maximize the benefits offered by the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the ASEAN–China Free Trade Agreement, promoting bilateral cooperation and the signing of additional agreements.

According to socio-economic analyst Chey Tech, the deal is expected to benefit Cambodian growers [5], especially those cultivating economic crops such as mangos, longans and durians. The analyst also emphasized the need to implement market standards and adopt contract farming to ensure the purchase of agricultural products during harvest season.

Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Zhengzhou, the provincial capital of Henan, Chen’s Sun Group specializes in both domestic and imported fruits. The company imports over 100 types of fruits and has developed brands such as Chen’s Sun, Sanzhimei and Guodajie. It has also established long-term strategic partnerships with more than 500 large supermarkets across China, including Yonghui Superstores and PDL Commerce and Trade Group Co. Ltd., serving over 6,000 retail fruit stores.

Durians are a flagship product for Chen’s Sun, which imports more than 10 varieties throughout the year from Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia. In August 2024, the company was the only fruit importer from Henan to participate in the inaugural air shipment of fresh Malaysian durians to China [6]. Of the initial 15 metric tons that arrived at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, Chen’s Sun was responsible for purchasing 3 metric tons.

Since 2018, Chen’s Sun has been focusing on Cambodian fruits, particularly durians. Even before fresh Cambodian durians officially gained access to the Chinese market [7], the company had already partnered with local enterprises to invest in and develop a durian plantation [8] covering over 165 hectares in northwest Cambodia’s Battambang province.

Image: Cambodian Ministry of Commerce

This article was translated from Chinese. Read the original article [9].