De Heus TMH, backed by ADB, strengthens Cambodia’s livestock feed supply

COMBODIA – De Heus TMH, backed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), processes 18,000 tonnes of raw materials monthly into livestock feed and trains 2,000 farmers to strengthen Cambodia’s supply chains and boost food security.

The joint venture between Dutch animal nutrition firm De Heus and local partner TMH has expanded local feed production, improved farmer productivity, and supported the country’s livestock sector. 

The company now employs over 200 staff at its Kampong Speu facility and works closely with farmers through technical advisory services to increase yields and promote sustainable practices.

Company General Director Harry Schimmel said the partnership has strengthened Cambodia’s agricultural value chain, benefiting farmers, distributors, and consumers alike.

“Cambodia’s total animal feed market is estimated at between one and two million tonnes annually, and our company holds around a 20 per cent share,” Schimmel said. 

According to Schimmel, the company aims to contribute to the affordability of feed to keep meat products affordable while improving the supply of raw materials and its competitiveness in the market.

The company initially imported feed in 2018, then invested in local production. 

Its factory, which began operations in 2020, has undergone several expansions. 

De Heus now purchases roughly 18,000 tonnes of raw materials each month, about half of which are sourced locally, with corn and cassava representing the main domestic inputs.

Technical support and farmer training drive productivity

Schimmel highlighted that corn and cassava supplies are seasonal and insufficient to meet year-round demand, and that investing in storage and supply chain infrastructure is critical. 

To address this, De Heus and ADB have provided technical assistance and training to farmers supplying feed ingredients. 

Approximately 2,000 farmers have learned improved farming practices to boost productivity and strengthen local agricultural supply chains.

“Farmers are learning about the new normal and how to adapt to climate change through better seed varieties, water management, and safer storage practices,” said Yasmin Siddiqi, ADB country director for Cambodia.

 “This project shows how private sector financing can catalyse agricultural development while improving rural livelihoods. Feed production plays a key role in supporting poultry and aquaculture farmers and enhancing household nutrition.”

In 2022, ADB provided $10 million in working capital financing to De Heus TMH, enabling the company to scale up feed production and expand distribution networks. 

The investment also complements government initiatives to strengthen domestic crop-processing links. 

In March 2025, Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul presided over a memorandum of understanding with six feed producers, including De Heus, to collectively purchase 189,000 tonnes of maize, 81,600 tonnes of cassava, 51,130 tonnes of broken rice, and 57,730 tonnes of rice husks from Cambodian farmers.

Local feed production strengthens the livestock sector

Private-sector figures show that expanding domestic feed production keeps more value within Cambodia’s agricultural economy. 

Agribusiness investor Mong Reththy, whose group operates a 220,000-tonne annual-capacity feed mill, spends roughly $40 million each year on locally purchased cassava and maize.

The growth of feed mills and stronger supply chains has supported rapid expansion in Cambodia’s livestock sector, particularly pig farming, which has shifted from heavy reliance on imported animals to meeting domestic demand and exporting to neighbouring markets. 

Both government and development partners emphasise that strengthening value chains remains central to improving food security and rural incomes as climate risks and market demands evolve.

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