Sothy's Pepper Plantation
Sothy's Pepper Plantation
Located 20 km from Kep, Sothy's organic farm produces Kampot PGI pepper in three varieties. Free guided tour through the fields.
Sothy's pepper plantation is among the organic farms producing Kampot pepper, Cambodia's first spice to benefit from Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status. Situated about 20 km from Kep, within the recognized production zone of the province, it offers a free guided tour lasting approximately 45 minutes through its four fields.
Why visit Sothy's pepper plantation
The farm belongs to the select category of EcoCert-certified operations and is an active member of the Kampot Pepper Promotion Association. It vividly illustrates what sets Kampot pepper apart: a precise terroir, a lengthy cultivation cycle, and strict organic standards. The visit combines agricultural education, tastings of the three varieties (black, red, white) and exploration of a fruit estate where mango, durian, rambutan and jackfruit trees flourish.
For travelers interested in Cambodian agriculture, the plantation complements a visit to the coffee plantations of Mondulkiri, another emblematic agricultural stop in the country.
History of the farm
The plantation is run by Sorn Sothy, who has made it one of the region's leading organic pepper producers. The estate grew progressively through successive additions of fields over a total area of 3 hectares. Kampot pepper, whose reputation dates back to the French colonial era, became Cambodia's first product to receive Protected Geographical Indication status, a distinction granted under international intellectual property agreements.
What to see and do on site
The pepper fields
The main field contains nearly 200 pepper plants, each aligned and supported by a wooden stake that the vine climbs. Palm trees planted nearby provide the shade necessary to protect the plants from direct sunlight. The farm produces an average of 250 kg of red, black and white pepper per harvest.
The guide explains the complete pepper plant cycle:
- 5 years before first production
- Flowering between September and October
- Grain development in January-February
- Harvest from March to May
The three types of pepper
- Black pepper: the most powerful on the palate, harvested before full ripeness.
- Red pepper: the fruitiest, from grains left to mature on the vine.
- White pepper: subtle aroma, obtained after removing the outer layer.
Environmental commitment
The farm adheres to EcoCert guidelines. No chemical fertilizers are used: pepper plants are fertilized with bat droppings. A preparation made from strongly scented leaves and seeds serves as a natural insect repellent. The estate operates partly through solar panels and a wind turbine.
Restaurant and shop
A small restaurant extends the tour experience with Khmer dishes highlighting the three peppers. An adjoining shop allows visitors to leave with packets directly from production.
When to visit
The most interesting period runs from March to May, when harvesting is in full swing. To observe workers in action in the fields, arrive early: picking takes place in the early morning, before the heat sets in. Outside this season, the tour remains educational but the fields are less active.
Practical information
- Free guided tour, in several languages
- Duration: approximately 45 minutes
- Harvest observable in early morning
- Restaurant and shop on site
- Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes recommended for walking through the fields
How to get there
The farm is located about 20 km from Kep, accessible by tuk-tuk from town (allow about twenty minutes travel time, fare to be negotiated on site). The route follows National Road 33 heading east. Signs mark the entrance to the pepper plantation cluster; Sothy's farm is situated approximately 3.5 km further along this road.
Nearby attractions
The plantation integrates well into a circuit around Kep and Kampot:
- The Kep crab market, about twenty kilometers away, to taste the local specialty with green pepper
- The town of Kampot, its colonial architecture and riverside setting
- The Phnom Chhngok caves and their pre-Angkorian sanctuary, nearby
Frequently asked questions
Yes, the guided tour is free and lasts approximately 45 minutes. You can then have lunch at the restaurant or buy pepper at the shop.
The harvest season, from March to May, remains the most interesting. To see workers picking the grains, plan to arrive in the early morning.
Three varieties: black (the most powerful), red (the fruitiest) and white (subtle aroma). Tasting is part of the tour.
It was Cambodia's first product to obtain Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status. Its terroir, climate and local expertise give it an aromatic profile recognized internationally.
By tuk-tuk from Kep, allow about twenty minutes via National Road 33. Follow the plantation cluster signs then continue approximately 3.5 km.
To integrate this visit into a broader circuit around Kampot and Kep, explore our Cambodge trips.
Interested in this visit?
We can include it in your personalised itinerary.
