AKP Phnom Penh, May 12, 2025 --

Cambodia exported goods worth US$9.13 billion in the first four months of 2025, marking a 14 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to a report from the General Department of Customs and Excise.

Key export items included garments, footwear, travel goods, bicycles, car tyres, solar panels, and various agricultural products such as rice, rubber, cassava, bananas, mangoes, and longans.

The country’s top five export destinations during this period were the United States, Vietnam, Japan, China, and Canada, the report noted.

On the import side, Cambodia brought in goods valued at US$10.36 billion from January to April 2025, representing a 19.7 percent year-on-year increase. Major imported items included petroleum, raw materials for the garment, footwear, and travel goods sectors, vehicles, machinery, electronic appliances, and consumer products.

H.E. Penn Sovicheat, Secretary of State and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, attributed the export growth to rising global demand and the government’s proactive trade facilitation policies. He highlighted the impact of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with China, South Korea, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in expanding market access for Cambodian products.

“The implementation of these FTAs has significantly reduced tariffs and trade barriers, making Cambodian goods more competitive in the global marketplace,” he said.

Cambodia’s industrial sector, including both garment and non-garment manufacturing, remains a key driver of economic growth by boosting exports and attracting foreign investment.

The garment, footwear, and travel goods industry continues to be the largest foreign exchange earner for Cambodia. As of the latest report from the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, the sector comprises approximately 1,538 factories and branches, employing around 913,000 workers—most of whom are women.

By Chea Vannak