Kampong Speu palm sugar recognized globally

The palm sugar from the Kampong Speu province has just received the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) from the European Union. These recognitions will come into effect on April 22, according to the Official Journal of the EU.

Therefore, the palm sugar from Kampong Speu will officially be known worldwide as Skor Thnot Kampong Speu. This name has been registered by the European Commission in the PGI and PDO directories. According to the AKP, the community responsible for producing this product in the region harvested 90 tons of palm sugar last year, selling it for $1.30 to $1.50 per kilogram. For this year, the forecast is set at 130 tons, in anticipation of this recognition, which will provide international legitimacy and unprecedented publicity.

Protection and assurance

The registration of Skor Thnot Kampong Speu in the PDO registry was less challenging to obtain than the PGI. For the latter, Cambodia, which filed its application on October 3, 2017, had to face opposition from the Belgian state, which was quickly thwarted by the strength of the Khmer dossier, as well as from the sugar company Sucre Suisse SA.

The latter repeatedly filed appeals with the European Commission to oppose the recognition of Skor Thnot Kampong Speu as a PGI, citing a lack of precision regarding the product that would not allow it to be considered as sugar, according to the criteria set out in the relevant directives. The standoff ultimately ended with an agreement signed on October 3, 2018.

The PGI recognizes an agricultural product whose characteristics are directly linked to a specific geographical area, whether concerning production, transformation, or preparation. PDO, on the other hand, encompasses all three stages of production. These must all take place within the same geographical area and be accompanied by recognized and guaranteed expertise from local producers.

These recognitions will provide a level of assurance to the Skor Thnot Kampong Speu production community. Sam Saroeun, president of the Kampong Speu Palm Sugar Promotion Association, expressed in the Khmer Times, "Prices will remain stable thanks to the PGI, which should allow farmers to achieve a better standard of living. The designation should also help us protect the name of our product from counterfeit products."

Thibault Bourru