The Ivorian rubber industry is attracting new opportunities. On Friday, January 23, 2026, a high-ranking Cambodian delegation, led by Buntha Em , a mandarin of the Cambodian Royal Court, met with the Federation of Rubber Producers of Côte d'Ivoire (FPH-CI) in Abidjan. The objective: to transform end-of-life rubberwood into a driver of sustainable growth.

An ambitious project in the spotlight

During a working session chaired by Dally Jules , Chairman of the Board of Directors of FPH-CI, Ivorian experts presented the immense potential of rubberwood. Since its successful presentation at the Paris International Agricultural Show (SIA 2025), this development project has continued to attract international investors.

Key points of the Ivorian offer:

1. Mass availability: Guaranteed volumes in village plantations until 2055 .
2. Industrial grade: A versatile wood suitable for local and export markets.
3. Socio-economic impact: A direct source of additional income for farmers.

Towards a "win-win" partnership

After a year of remote exchanges, this in-person visit marks a turning point. Buntha Em emphasized Cambodia's desire to establish a long-term partnership. For the Asian kingdom, Ivorian expertise represents a major opportunity to secure high-quality resources.

“It was crucial to take this next step. We are aiming for a lasting and mutually beneficial partnership,” said the representative of the Royal Court.

Next steps

The Cambodian delegation's stay, which continues until January 29 , will be punctuated by:

1. Institutional visits to formalize the agreements in principle.
2. Field visits to high-potential production areas to concretely assess the available deposit.

As an African leader and the world's 3rd largest producer of natural rubber, Côte d'Ivoire is thus reaffirming its commitment to no longer simply export a raw material, but to create real ecological and economic added value from its forest resources.