Growing domestic consumption and increasing international orders have pushed Cambodia’s international trade in the first three quarters of 2025 to nearly $47 billion—an increase of nearly 15% over the same period in 2024. The nine month trade volume represented around 86% of Cambodia’s total international trade volume in 2024.
According to the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE), from January to September 2025, the total value of goods exchanged between Cambodia and all its international trade partners reached $46.99 billion, up 14.8% from the $40.94 billion during the same period in 2024. Exports accounted for $22.38 billion (up 12.9%), while imports totalled $24.61 billion (up 16.6%).
Cambodia recorded a trade deficit of approximately $2.23 billion during this nine-month period, up from $1.27 billion in the same period last year.
Hong Vanak, an economist at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, noted that despite challenges to the global economy and the ongoing border tensions with Thailand, Cambodia’s international trade has not declined. He added that he expected it to continue growing, as more factories and enterprises begin operations in the Kingdom.
He highlighted that Cambodia’s stable political environment, favourable investment laws, abundant skilled labour, improved transport infrastructure, preferential tariff systems, trade agreements and access to multiple international markets are all key factors contributing to the consistent growth in international trade.
“Based on recent announcements by the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), more companies are setting up factories and enterprises in Cambodia. So naturally, exports from Cambodia to international markets will continue to grow in the future,” he told The Post, on October 14.
“Improvements in the legal investment framework and infrastructure development are helping reduce production costs in Cambodia. Lower production costs make Cambodian-made goods more competitive and more appealing in export markets,” he added.
Lim Heng, vice-president of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, said that as a developing country, Cambodia is making strong efforts to strengthen its economy and move forward in a positive direction. He added that the introduction of new policies, infrastructure support from the government and the private sector’s efforts to attract and encourage both domestic and foreign investment have led to continued economic achievements.
“The growth in international trade reflects investor confidence in Cambodia’s expanding export capacity. Export and import volumes will likely continue to rise if there are no major disruptions in global politics or the economy,” he noted.
