The total value of Cambodia’s international trade reached over $36 billion during the first seven months of the year, an increase of nearly 20% over the same period in 2024. Of this, exports totalled approximately $17.1 billion.
According to an August 11 report from the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE), between January and July, total international trade volume reached $36.32 billion, an increase of 16.5% compared to the $31.19 billion recorded during the same period in 2024. Of this, exports were valued at $17.16 billion (up 16.2%), and imports stood at $19.16 billion (up 16.7%).
This meant the Kingdom had a trade deficit of approximately $1.99 billion, up from $1.66 billion in the first seven months of 2024. Cambodia’s key trading partners during this period included China, the US, Vietnam, Thailand and Japan.
Ly Kunthai, president of the Cambodia Investors Federation and the Cambodian Footwear Association, told The Post that international trade volume will continue to grow, as more Cambodian-made products are exported. He noted that the US is expected to become an even more significant trading partner, following a decision by the administration of President Donald Trump to lower tariffs on Cambodian goods from 49% to just 19%.
He also pointed out that a notable trend is the increasing number of companies investing directly in Cambodia, along with a growing range of products being manufactured for export.
“At present, I observe that more countries are placing orders for Cambodian-made products. At the same time, there is a rise in skilled labour and in the number of factories and enterprises opening in here,” he said.
Most of Cambodia’s exported goods include garments, footwear, travel bags, electronic components and agricultural products. Major imports include vehicles, machinery, construction materials, pharmaceuticals and electronic equipment, according to Kunthai.
During a recent seminar on the “Results and Recommendations of Cambodia’s Third Trade Policy Review (TPR)” organized by the Ministry of Commerce on August 7, Igor Driesmans, EU ambassador to Cambodia, expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Cambodian government and private sector in advancing national socio-economic development. He highlighted the continuous growth in exports, improvements in investment laws for greater flexibility, and notably, Cambodia’s planned graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status by 2029.
In 2024, Cambodia’s total trade volume with all partner countries reached $54.74 billion, an increase of 16.9% compared to 2023. Exports amounted to $26.2 billion (up 15.7%) and imports to $28.54 billion (up 18%).
