AKP Phnom Penh, November 08, 2025 --

Cambodia hosted today the 2025 International World Rice Conference Summit, giving floor to rice insiders to discuss adopting climate-resilient practices and integrating technological innovations to safeguard rice production against environmental shifts.

The opening ceremony of the 2025 International World Rice Conference Summit was presided over by H.E. Sok Chenda Sophea, Deputy Prime Minister, High Representative of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

H.E. Roger V. Navarro, Under-Secretary of the Department of Agriculture of the Republic of the Philippines, Mr. Jeremy Zwinger, President and CEO of The Rice Trader, Ms. Yvonne Pinto, Director General of the International Rice Research Institute, and representatives of relevant ministries and institutions, as well as many national and international distinguished guests participated in the event. 

In her opening remarks, H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul, Minister of Commerce of Cambodia, warmly welcomed the presence of leaders of relevant ministries and institutions, delegations, and national and international distinguished guests from countries around the world. This demonstrates the joint commitment to promoting the rice sector, which is an important food crop for humanity, with sustainability and prosperity, she said. 

“This year's World Rice Conference holds special significance for Cambodia, not only demonstrating Cambodia's prominence in the global rice community, but also reaffirming Cambodia's commitment to sustainability, innovation, and sustainable growth in shaping the future of rice production,” she underlined. 

Despite facing complex import regulations, high tariff rates, and transportation issues that have hindered access to new markets, the Ministry of Commerce continues to address these challenges through trade negotiations, digital transformation, and dialogue between the public and private sectors, she underscored. 

The Minister also invited all participants, investors and international businesspeople, to network with key institutions to explore investment opportunities for sustainable trade and innovation in the Cambodian rice sector.

The Ministry of Commerce has officially launched the Cambodia's Milled Rice Market Expansion and Export Diversification Strategy 2025-2030 which serves as a roadmap for strengthening the presence of Cambodian rice on the international stage with the aim of diversifying export destinations and increasing competitiveness.

Cambodia exported 596,341 tonnes of milled rice in the first nine months of 2025, up 33.7 percent from 445,913 tonnes in the same period last year, according to a report from the Cambodia Rice Federation.

The Kingdom made US$408 million in revenue from the export of the commodity during the January-September period this year, up 21 percent from US$335 million recorded in the same period in 2024.

In addition, Cambodia generated some US$1,209 million in revenue from border-traded paddy rice of about 5.24 million tonnes during the above-mentioned period.

By Chea Vannak