China Approves First Direct Imports of Cambodian Bird’s Nests
China Approves First Direct Imports of Cambodian Bird’s Nests
PHNOM PENH, 21 July 2026 — China has officially approved the first Cambodian company to export edible bird’s nests to the Chinese market, marking a major milestone for Cambodia’s premium agricultural products sector.
Best Life Product Co., Ltd. received formal approval from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) on 15 July 2026, allowing it to export edible bird’s nest products to China until 2031, the company announced.
The approval makes Best Life Product the first Cambodian company to obtain export authorisation from Chinese customs after several years of efforts to improve product quality and meet China’s stringent import requirements.
The move gives Cambodian edible bird’s nests access to one of the world’s largest consumer markets for the premium product.
Suoy Kokthean, president of the Cambodia Swiftlet Association, said China had opened its market to Cambodian edible bird’s nests in mid-2025, but the certification process for individual exporters has remained highly rigorous.
As a result, only one Cambodian company has so far met the standards required for direct exports to China.
He said edible bird’s nests are regarded as a premium product that can sell for thousands of dollars per kilogram, making traceability, food safety and hygiene standards essential to maintaining product quality and consumer confidence.
Suoy expressed optimism that more Cambodian companies would receive export approval from Chinese customs later this year as producers gain a better understanding of China’s technical and regulatory requirements.
He noted that similar challenges had been faced by exporters in other countries, including Vietnam and Malaysia, where only a limited number of companies initially qualified before adapting their production processes to comply with Chinese standards.
Best Life Product Chairwoman Wu Huizhen said the company will continue improving product quality and hygiene standards, expand production capacity and create more employment opportunities for Cambodians.
She also called on the government, relevant institutions and investment partners to continue supporting the development of Cambodia’s edible bird’s nest industry with the goal of establishing it as a recognised national brand in international markets.
According to the report, nearly 1,000 swiftlet houses had been registered with Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture by early 2026. The ministry has recommended six companies to Chinese customs for evaluation, but only Best Life Product Co., Ltd. has so far received approval to export directly to China.
