Cambodge : The Volume of International Trade Surpasses the 50 Billion Dollar Mark - Analysis and Key Figures

In 2025, Cambodia shows a robust commercial dynamic, with a total volume of international trade exceeding 50 billion dollars during the first ten months. This notable increase reflects significant growth despite an uncertain global context and highlights the strategic importance that foreign trade holds for the kingdom's economic development.

To understand this evolution, it is essential to examine in detail the key figures, key sectors, and the decisive trading partners behind this performance.

Growth in Trade Volume: Key Figures and Trends

According to official data from Cambodia's General Directorate of Customs and Excise (GDCE), the country recorded a total trade volume of 46.9 billion dollars over the first nine months of 2025, a 14.8% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Extrapolated to ten months, this value exceeds 50 billion dollars. Exports amounted to 22.3 billion dollars, up 12.9%, while imports reached 24.6 billion, showing a more marked increase of 16.6%.

In January 2025, the total trade volume had already crossed 5 billion dollars, with 2.3 billion in exports (+17.3% year-over-year) and 2.75 billion in imports (+31.6%), reflecting a booming foreign trade, but also a growing trade deficit which stood at about 2.22 billion dollars in September 2025, up from 1.27 billion the previous year.

Export Sectors: Textile Dominance and Gradual Diversification

The textile and garment sector remains the major pillar of Cambodia’s foreign trade. In 2024, revenue from textile products reached nearly 11 billion dollars, about 46% of total exports. In 2025, the trend was confirmed with sustained growth of 19% in this category.

Besides textiles, other sectors show remarkable growth: agro-food products with paddy rice and polished rice exports exceeding 4.8 million and 490,000 tons respectively, generating over one billion dollars, and raw cashew nuts with strong growth (+60.5% for a total of 790 million dollars). Bicycle exports reached 408 million dollars, highlighting the progressive diversification of the export offer.

The electronics and automotive components sectors also saw growth, strengthening the country's industrial positioning. This development reflects efforts toward industrialization and innovation undertaken by the government and local economic players.

Imports: Drivers of Economic Upgrading

Imports mainly involve industrial raw materials, technological equipment, and essential investment goods for the industrialization process. Increased consumption of electronic equipment, machinery, and construction materials is driving the upgrading of national industries. This explains the stronger growth of imports (+16.6% against +12.9% for exports).

Importation of pharmaceuticals, processed foodstuffs, and agricultural machinery is also part of the broader framework of economic modernization and improved living standards in Cambodia.

Strategic Trade Partners

Cambodia maintains important commercial relationships with China, the United States, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, and Canada among others. China remains the main trading partner with a trade volume reaching 15.19 billion dollars in 2024, or 27.7% of Cambodia’s total trade. However, exports to China decreased slightly, underlining the need for a strategic redeployment of exports and quality improvement to meet Chinese market demands.

The United States remains the second-largest partner with bilateral trade reaching nearly 10.18 billion dollars in 2024, largely thanks to significant textile exports (+23% in 2025 for exports to this country). Vietnam, the third partner, had trade of about 7.78 billion dollars, though Cambodian exports to this country slightly declined in 2025.

Analysis of Sectoral and Economic Dynamics

The acceleration of Cambodia’s international trade is part of a proactive strategy of regional and global economic integration, supported by membership in several free trade agreements including the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership), which greatly opens markets and improves Cambodia’s attractiveness. This dynamic accompanies a diversification of exported products, facilitated by the rise of small and medium-sized local enterprises focused on quality and innovation.

However, the growing trade deficit illustrates a structural challenge: strong dependence on imports to support industrial and consumption growth. The goal here will be to optimize the trade balance by developing high value-added domestic production capacities and encouraging import substitution.

The labor market remains a key factor. The country must invest in skills upgrading and adopt advanced technologies to transform traditional industries and enter new high value-added niches. Moreover, compliance with environmental and social standards required by international markets becomes a sine qua non condition to maintain preferential trade advantages and consolidate Cambodia’s export reputation.

Prospects for 2026 and Beyond

Projections for 2026 show cautious optimism. Ongoing public policies supporting innovation, digitalization, and sustainability offer favorable prospects. Geographic market diversification, notably towards ASEAN and the North American market, combined with deepening trade agreements, should strengthen Cambodia’s positioning in the global value chain.

At the same time, challenges related to infrastructure, logistics, and technological integration remain priorities. The government must accelerate structural reforms to ensure an environment favorable to private and foreign investment.

In summary, the impressive 2025 figures illustrate Cambodia in full economic transformation, aware of its strengths and challenges ahead. The crossing of the 50 billion dollar trade volume in ten months is much more than a simple statistic: it reflects an ambitious economic strategy, growing engagement in international trade, and a pursuit of sustainable and inclusive development backed by a clear vision of the kingdom’s economic future.