Kampot Pepper

The Product

Kampot Pepper is a unique spice. Its strong aroma, its pungent taste distinguishes this pepper from any others. Tasting Kampot Pepper you'll first experience its pungent effect on the tip of your tongue for a few seconds, then the fresh, almost minty flavour that develops in your mouth and remains for several minutes.
Today, Kampot Pepper is recognized as one of the best peppers in the world; used by major kitchen chefs to accommodate a variety of dishes, ranging from classic black pepper sauce for red meats to chocolate pastries.

Quality Facts (black whole peppercorns)

Density average: 580g/l
Moisture content: 12% vol/wt
FarmLink's Kampot Pepper is graded and 90% cleaned.

The Context

Kampot Pepper is grown in a few districts of Kampot Province and Kep municipality.
Between mountain and sea Kampot province is renowned for the quality of its fruits (Durian, coconut, mango…), sea salt and of course pepper.
The special climate and soil type of Kampot as well as the experience from several generations of pepper farmers make this pepper unique and very sought-for by gourmets worldwide.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Cambodia was exporting about 8000 tones of Kampot Pepper. In 1960, 1 million pepper poles remained in Kampot.

After the events that took place in Cambodia from 1975 to the end of the century, pepper plantation in Kampot were almost completely destroyed. Farmers started to plant pepper again at the beginning of the 21st century when world prices reached sky-high prices. The majority of pepper plantations today are 7 to 10 years old.

FarmLink involvement

In 2006, a group of expatriates witnessed the decline of pepper farms in Kampot. Farmers were destroying or abandoning their plantation because of very low market prices. Pepper Farmers from the Kompong Trach district asked this group to help them find new markets were prices would be more advantageous.
After a year of volunteer work, part of this group created FarmLink, ensuring the continuity of the work through a professional structure.

The "Pure Kampot Pepper" campaign

In 2006, we conducted a promotion campaign to raise Cambodian customers awareness on the specificity of Kampot Pepper and on the risk of fakes in local markets and shops.

Opening the Cambodian market

In 2006, we started to distribute gift bags of pepper for tourist market in Cambodia; we also started to supply some hotels, restaurants and butcheries in Cambodia. Finally, we expanded our distribution network in Cambodia through partnerships with businesses in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and Kampot.

Improving the quality

During the first year, our work with the farmers was focused on improving the quality of the pepper through improved processing techniques.
In 2007, pepper was well dried, graded and cleaned. The quality was much improved and major distributors started to show interest in Kampot Pepper.

Organizing the pepper farmers

Kompong Trach farmers are small-scale farmers with an average of 200 poles per farm. Farmers' organization was necessary to guarantee an interesting volume of supply and an effective quality control mechanism.
In July 2007, 3 farmers' associations were created after democratic elections. These associations regroup today more than 70 farmers.

Solving structural problems

Due to the lack of finances, farmers are not able to solve themselves the many problems they face to restructure their farms. Lack of water access is a major issue as well as fertilizers, wooden poles replacement...
FarmLink is looking for financial solutions for these farmers through a combination of micro-credits and donations. In 2007, 5 water ponds were dug thanks to a private donation. FarmLink is still looking today for partners that could further help the farmers' associations.

Developing the export market

In 2007, FamLink contacted specialized importers and retailers in different countries. Many shown great interest and we expect to export the majority of the 2008 harvest. Do not hesitate to contact us if you wish to purchase Kampot Pepper or wonder if this product is available in your country.