Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Prized spice has its fans, and imitators

Prized spice has its fans, and imitators

A farmer holds fresh pepper corns after they were harvested from a plantation in Ratanakkiri province.
A farmer holds fresh pepper corns after they were harvested from a plantation in Ratanakkiri province. Pha Lina

Prized spice has its fans, and imitators

Given the wild success of Kampot pepper, which can fetch up to three times the amount per kilo as Cambodian pepper produced without its prized label, it is hardly surprising that the product has its share of imitators.

In an effort to address the risk of knockoffs, which damage the reputation and marketing of the authentic product, the Ministry of Commerce and George Edgar, the European Union’s ambassador to Cambodia, held a joint seminar yesterday to explain to pepper producers the importance of respecting the Cambodian pepper’s Geographical Indicator (GI) status.

Kampot pepper was awarded GI status in 2010, and in February 2016 became the first Cambodian product recognised by the EU as carrying the designation. The GI label identifies and certifies the distinct geographical origin and associated qualities of a product, such as Champagne or Parmesan cheese.

Nguon Lay, president of the Kampot Pepper Promotion Association, said that despite its GI designation, Kampot pepper producers still struggle against a raft of inferior imitation products primarily geared toward the steady flow of passing tourists.

Pepper producers need to “raise public awareness of GI in order to strengthen the regulations and add value to the product”, he said. Lay added that it was up to individual producers to respect this privileged and protected status.

“We still find that around 25 percent of the market is using the Kampot pepper name without ensuring that it is actually a Kampot product or meets EU quality standards,” he said.

This was a substantial improvement, he admitted, from just last year, when a market survey carried out by the association found that 75 percent of pepper products were abusing its name.

“We are trying to get producers to understand the impact of imitation products,” he said, adding the Ministry of Commerce was ready to take action against producers caught selling imitation products.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture’s annual report, Cambodia produced 12,000 tonnes of pepper during last year’s harvest season, up from 9,800 tonnes the previous year.

Of this, only 70 tonnes was certified to carry the Kampot pepper label, about 10 tonnes more than last year. However, Lay said production was still short of demand. “Currently, we have a shortage when supplying to the international market,” he said.

“But we hope to be able to have enough hectares under cultivation by 2018.”

Kampot pepper falls into three categories with black peppercorn currently valued at $15 per kilo, red at $25, and white reaching $28 per kilo.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Famed US collector family return artefacts to Cambodia

    In the latest repatriation of ancient artefacts from the US, a total of 33 pieces of Khmer cultural heritage will soon return home, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. In a September 12 press statement, it said the US Attorney’s Office for the

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • Kampot curfew imposed to curb ‘gang’ violence

    Kampot provincial police have announced measures to contain a recent spike in antisocial behaviour by “unruly’ youth. Officials say the province has been plagued by recent violence among so-called “gang members”, who often fight with weapons such as knives and machetes. Several social observers have

  • PM outlines plans to discuss trade, policy during US visit

    Prime Minister Hun Manet is set to meet with senior US officials and business leaders during his upcoming visit to the US for the UN General Assembly (UNGA), scheduled for September 20. While addressing nearly 20,000 workers in Kampong Speu province, Manet said he aims to affirm

  • Manet touches down in Beijing for high-level meetings

    Prime Minister Hun Manet arrived in Beijing on September 14 for his first official visit to China, where he is slated to attend the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and meet other leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Upon his arrival, Manet laid a wreath at the Monument