Soma Group

What Soma Group does

Soma Group Co., Ltd. is a privately held Cambodian conglomerate headquartered in Phnom Penh, incorporated in 2007 with roots tracing to Soma Farm in 1999. The group operates 11 subsidiaries across six industries — Agribusiness & Food Systems (Soma Farm, C.A.D.I., Apsara Rice), Energy/Utilities/Infrastructure (Soma Construction & Development, CPTL, Soma Energy, Soma Kobelco Water Supply), Education & Health (University of Puthisastra), Commerce & Distribution (Soma Trading), Lifestyle/Hospitality & Real Assets (Soma Hotels, Soma Properties & Developments), and Media & Digital Ventures (Apsara TV Group) — alongside 7 affiliate companies, employing over 2,500 staff countrywide.

The group's underlying technology stack spans precision farming systems (C.A.D.I. JV with CP Group), large-scale rice processing at a 36-hectare facility with 240,000 MT annual capacity, renewable energy generation under MME/EAC licenses (5 MW solar in Kampong Thom, biogas and biomass plants), a 221km 115kV power transmission network operated under a 30-year BOT concession, and Japanese-partnered water treatment infrastructure serving over 4,850 households. Distribution operates through a mix of direct HORECA sales, supermarket and wholesale channels, exclusive in-country FMCG distribution for brands such as ECASerel, OWL coffee, Hokka biscuits, Imperial Biscuits, and Papatonk, plus rice, cassava, and rubber export.

Soma makes money through six distinct revenue streams mapped to its divisions: agricultural production and exports (hardware_sales), power transmission and water treatment under BOT/managed service contracts (managed_services), FMCG distribution (transaction fees), university tuition (subscription/recurring), hotel and real estate sales (one-time/license), and media advertising. Customers span government (Électricité du Cambodge for power offtake, Royal Government of Cambodia for concessions), enterprise HORECA and supermarket accounts, and end consumers including 4,850 water households and 2,300+ university students. The group is led by CEO Cham Krasna and operates without disclosed external private equity or public shareholders.

Name

Soma Group

Legal name

Soma Group Co., Ltd.

Website

https://somagroup.com.kh

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Soma Group is a privately held Cambodian conglomerate operating 11 subsidiaries across agribusiness, energy/utilities/infrastructure, education, FMCG distribution, hospitality, and media, serving government, enterprise HORECA, retail, and consumer customers in Cambodia with over 2,500 staff.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Diversified Industrial Conglomerate

NAICS

Oilseed and Grain Farming (1111), Starch and Vegetable Fats and Oils Manufacturing (31122), Fruit and Tree Nut Farming (1113), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100), Food And Kindred Products (2000), Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Starches, Flours & Milling Products Trading/Wholesale (AFAIAKAH), Sod, Turfgrass & Groundcover Production (AFAGAHAL)

Keywords

• Agribusiness operations
• Renewable energy generation
• Power transmission services
• Water treatment solutions
• Higher education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Phnom Penh

HQ country

Cambodia

HQ region

Asia

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Agribusiness & Food Systems: Revenue from agricultural production including fresh eggs, coconuts, orchids, rice processing, and agricultural exports (cassava, rubber). APSARA RICE has annual production capacity of 240,000 metric tons.
2. Energy, Utilities & Infrastructure: Power transmission services (BOT model), renewable energy generation (solar, biogas), water treatment and distribution services, and construction/project management services.
3. Commerce & Distribution: Export of Cambodian rice and agricultural products; distribution and trading of international FMCG brands in Cambodia including ECASerel, OWL coffee, Hokka biscuits.
4. Education & Health: University of Puthisastra generates revenue through tuition and educational services in health sciences and technology programs.
5. Lifestyle, Hospitality & Real Assets: Hotel operations at Soma Hotel Riverside, property development and management services through Soma Properties & Developments.
6. Media & Digital Ventures: Apsara TV Group operates multimedia television channel and radio stations (FM 97 and FM 99) generating content and media revenue.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Soma Group is a diversified Cambodian conglomerate operating 11 subsidiaries across agribusiness and food systems (rice, eggs, coconuts, precision farming), energy/utilities/infrastructure (solar, biogas, power transmission, water treatment, construction), education (University of Puthisastra), commerce and distribution (FMCG trading and rice exports), hospitality and real estate (Soma Hotel Riverside, property development), and media broadcasting (Apsara TV Group). Its subsidiaries produce and sell physical goods (rice, fresh eggs, fragrant coconuts, orchids), deliver infrastructure and utility services under concessions, distribute international FMCG brands, and provide education, hospitality, and broadcasting services within Cambodia.

Product overview

Soma Group is a diversified conglomerate operating 11 subsidiaries across 6 key industries in Cambodia. The portfolio includes: Agribusiness & Food Systems (Soma Farm, C.A.D.I., Apsara Rice); Education & Health (University of Puthisastra); Lifestyle, Hospitality & Real Assets (Soma Properties & Developments, Soma Hotel Riverside); Energy, Utilities & Infrastructure (Soma Construction & Development, CPTL, Soma Energy, Soma Kobelco Water Supply); Commerce & Distribution (Soma Trading); and Media & Digital Ventures (Apsara TV Group). The group provides management & consulting services as a parent company while subsidiaries operate independently in their respective sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Soma Farm: Agricultural operations producing fresh eggs, fragrant coconuts, and orchids following international health and safety standards
• C.A.D.I
• Apsara Rice
• University of Puthisastra
• Soma Hotels
• Soma Hotel Riverside
• Soma Construction & Development
• CPTL (Cambodia Power Transmission Lines)
• Soma Energy
• Soma Kobelco Water Supply
• Soma Trading
• Apsara TV Group

Products and services

• Soma Farm Agricultural operations producing fresh eggs, fragrant coconuts, and orchids in Takeo and Kampot provinces following international health and safety standards, supplying HORECA buyers, supermarkets, wholesale markets, and retail stores.
• C.A.D.I. (Cambodia Agribusiness Development Initiative) Joint venture with CP Group using modern agricultural technology and precision farming to operate the largest farm in Cambodia and Southeast Asia, focusing on sustainable, eco-friendly food production and food security.
• Apsara Rice Rice processing facility near Phnom Penh spanning 36 hectares with an annual production capacity of 240,000 metric tons, producing premium Cambodian Jasmine rice under the ROYAL MONGKUT brand.
• University of Puthisastra Higher education institution in Phnom Penh specializing in health sciences and technology across seven faculties including Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, and IT, currently serving over 2,300 students.
• Soma Hotel Riverside Luxury boutique hotel on the riverside of Phnom Penh delivering authentic Cambodian hospitality, distinctive service, and locally rooted guest experiences.
• Soma Properties & Developments Property development and management division operating the Soma Hotels brand across luxury boutique hotels, resorts, and hostels, supporting Cambodia's sustainable urban development.
• Soma Construction & Development Construction company providing general contracting, design & build, and construction project management services for infrastructure projects including JICA-funded irrigation works.
• Cambodia Power Transmission Lines (CPTL) Power transmission network in northwestern Cambodia operating 221 km of 115 kV transmission lines with three substations and one switching station under a 30-year BOT model, serving Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, and Battambang provinces.
• Soma Energy Clean and sustainable energy solutions provider operating a Biogas Power Plant, a licensed Biomass Power Plant, and a 5 MW Solar Power Plant in Staung, Kampong Thom, supplying electricity to the national grid and offering backup generators and solar installations for commercial and industrial use.
• Soma Kobelco Water Supply Joint venture with Japan's Kobelco Eco Solutions that operates water treatment and distribution plants providing potable water, with the current plant in Koh Dach serving over 3,440 household connections via an 85 km pipeline network.
• Soma Trading Sales & marketing arm of Soma Group that exports Cambodian rice and agricultural products and is the exclusive distributor in Cambodia for international brands including ECASerel sanitary ware, OWL and SUPER Instant Coffeemix, Hokka biscuits, Papatonk seafood crackers, and Imperial Biscuits.
• Apsara TV Group Multimedia television channel and radio broadcaster in Cambodia operating FM 97 and FM 99 stations, delivering content and advertising platforms to compete with leading online viewing platforms in Cambodia.

Quantifiable outcome

• C.A.D.I. is the largest farm in Cambodia and Southeast Asia
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Shinework Pictures (China)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025China-Cambodia co-production feature film 'The Angkor Code' developed through partnership with Shinework Pictures. Debuted at the 2025 Guangzhou Film Expo as a cultural exchange initiative.
• Kobelco Eco Solutions Co., Ltd. (Japan)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Soma Kobelco Water Supply Co., Ltd. is a joint venture between Soma Group and Kobelco Eco Solutions from Japan. The partnership combines local commitment with global Japanese expertise in water treatment and environmental solutions. In 2019, the company launched its first water treatment plant in Phnom Penh, now serving over 3,440 household connections.
• CP Group (Thailand)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015C.A.D.I. Co., Ltd. is a joint venture project between Soma Group and CP Group through an entity called SM&CP MegaFarm. C.A.D.I. is the largest farm in Cambodia and Southeast Asia, using modern agricultural technology and precision farming to transform agriculture and ensure food security while protecting the environment.
• Electricité du Cambodge (EDC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Supplement Agreement signed on February 6, 2015 with EDC for power transmission services. EDC officially accepted Commercial Operation Date on June 20, 2016, agreeing to compensate CPTL for transmission services over 22 years.
• Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015RGC granted CPTL a concession agreement to meet rising power demand in Siem Reap and Poipet. This project strengthens power transmission in Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, and Battambang and supports the future Greater Mekong Subregion interconnection network.
• JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Soma Construction & Development has successfully completed JICA Granted Irrigation Projects as part of infrastructure development services.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mong Reththy Group: Cambodian conglomerate focused on agro-industrial plantations (palm oil, rubber), construction, and infrastructure. Comparable in combining large-scale agricultural production with construction/infrastructure capabilities under a single Cambodian owner.
• Sokimex Group: Cambodian conglomerate with interests in petroleum, agriculture, construction, and import/export distribution. Comparable in being a multi-sector local conglomerate with both B2B infrastructure services and consumer distribution.
• Thai Huot Group: Cambodian conglomerate operating across property development, agriculture, and retail. Similar in combining Cambodian real-estate/hospitality assets with agricultural production and consumer-facing distribution.
• Royal Group of Cambodia: Cambodia's largest local conglomerate with diversified holdings across telecommunications, real estate, banking, agriculture, and media. Most direct comparable given similar Cambodian-conglomerate model spanning unrelated industries with strong government relationships.
• Amru Rice (Cambodia): One of Cambodia's largest rice exporters and organic rice producers with international certifications. Comparable on the rice processing and export business that competes directly with Soma's Apsara Rice / ROYAL MONGKUT brand.

Emerging players

• World Bridge International (Cambodia): Cambodian group with diversified interests including construction, real estate, and agricultural concessions. Comparable as a smaller Cambodian conglomerate with overlapping agribusiness and infrastructure operations.
• C.P. Cambodia (CP Cambodia): Cambodian subsidiary of Thai CP Group operating feed mills, livestock, and food businesses. Comparable as both a JV partner and direct competitor in Cambodia's modern agricultural and food value chain.

Broad incumbents

• Charoen Pokphand (CP Group): Thai multinational conglomerate and Soma's JV partner in C.A.D.I. Operates the largest agribusiness and food conglomerate in Asia. Comparable as both an agricultural operating partner and a far-larger diversified conglomerate active in Cambodia.

Regional players

• Olam Group: Global agri-food company with significant Cambodian sourcing operations in rice, cocoa, and coffee. Comparable on the agricultural production and commodity trading/exporting side, though global rather than Cambodia-centric.
• Battambang Rice Co., Ltd. Cambodian rice miller and exporter based in Battambang province. Comparable as a domestic rice-processing peer that competes with Apsara Rice for Cambodian paddy supply and export contracts.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@somagroup3201
• Facebookfacebook.com/somagroupcambodia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Soma Group