Cambodia has launched a strategy to strengthen and expand its rice exports to ASEAN countries and China, with the long-term goal of reaching one million tons of rice exports per annum, according to the president of the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF).
On August 26, the CRF held an election for its 5th mandate (2025–2028), selecting Lay Chhun Hour, president of City Rice Import Export Co., Ltd., as the new CRF President.
Chhun Hour explained that, in alignment with the recently introduced “Cambodia’s Milled Rice Market Expansion and Export Diversification Strategy 2025–2030”, all CRF member exporters are committed to boosting rice exports. The key export targets will be ASEAN countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, in addition to strengthening Cambodia’s presence in China, which accounted for around 30% of Cambodia’s total rice exports in 2024.
As CRF president, Chhun Hour expressed his strong commitment to supporting farmers by reducing production costs, strengthening and expanding the rice supply chain and export markets, and striving to reach the one million tonne export target.
“I will establish clear mechanisms and close coordination and cooperation, especially in ensuring mutual support that helps reduce the cost of agricultural inputs — such as fertilisers and pesticides — to lower production costs to the maximum extent, while also ensuring fair paddy prices,” he said.
According to CRF data, in 2024, Cambodia exported 651,522 tonnes of rice, worth $491.19 million. Europe took the largest share, with 26 countries buying 327,156 tonnes, followed by ASEAN (7 countries, 127,076 tonnes), China and its administrative regions (117,925 tonnes), and other countries (32 in total, 79,365 tonnes).
During the August 26 CRF General Assembly, Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul explained that the 2025–2030 Strategy will focus on three main goals.
It aims to maintain Cambodia’s strong position in key premium fragrant rice markets internationally, while also increasing “white rice” exports by targeting middle-income consumers in regional Asian markets.
Finally, it also seeks to expand market opportunities through existing and future trade agreements and institutional food procurement mechanisms, such as government-to-government (G2G) deals, food aid programmes and food security initiatives via the UN and humanitarian organisations.
“This new strategy comes at the right time to drive both market expansion and export volume growth to existing and new international markets,” noted Chhun Hour.
According to the CRF, in the first seven months of 2025, Cambodia exported 420,572 tonnes to 65 countries/territories, generating $309.32 million. This represents strong revenue growth compared to the same period in 2024, which saw 379,546 tonnes exported and $280 million in revenue generated.
