PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA — Cambodia’s macroeconomic indicators have posted strong momentum, indicating high resilience across its primary global export markets. According to the latest data released by the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE), Cambodia’s total international trade volume reached more than $36 billion during the first half of 2026. This represents a substantial 20.5% expansion compared to the corresponding period in 2025.
The data highlights that expanding inbound and outbound channels continue to sustain long-term developmental growth and industrial productivity nationwide.
High-Volume Expansion and Import-Export Dynamics
The fiscal breakdown for the January-to-June timeline points to uniform expansion across both manufacturing imports and commodity exports. The nation’s trade balance shows active integration within major global logistics frameworks:
- Total Outbound Trade: Exports reached over $17 billion, marking a steady year-on-year climb of 19.5%.
- Total Inbound Trade: Imports exceeded $19 billion, showing an upward movement of 21.4%.
Concurrently, the GDCE reports consistent trade volume increases with other cornerstone trading nations. Strong trade flows were maintained with the United States, Vietnam, and Japan, expanding Cambodia’s market access outside of its regional boundaries.
China Solidifies Position as Primary Trade Engine
China firmly retained its status as Cambodia’s absolute largest trading partner, with total two-way trade volumes surpassing the $11 billion milestone—a 25.4% surge compared to the first half of 2025. The cross-border balance sheet reveals interconnected logistics and manufacturing dependencies:
- Cambodian Exports to China: Reached $943 million, representing an active 25.7% acceleration year-on-year.
- Chinese Imports to Cambodia: Crossed the $10 billion mark, scaling upward by 25.4% compared to H1 2025.
The high import figure stems largely from local garment, textile, and light manufacturing plants bringing in essential raw materials, industrial fabric, and assembly machinery from China to build finished products for Western markets.
Agricultural Sector Drives Outbound Shipments
The increase in outbound trade to Chinese consumer markets was largely driven by Cambodia’s high-quality agricultural exports. Premium food products leading this push included rice, fresh longan, bananas, mangoes, cassava, and durian.
The agricultural data shows that Cambodia exported 170,483 tonnes of milled rice explicitly to China, Hong Kong, and Macau. This primary grain corridor generated nearly $99.67 million in revenue over the six-month window.
Backed by stable regional free trade agreements and lower trade barriers, Cambodia’s diversified industrial base continues to build strong global connections. The stable growth seen throughout early 2026 reinforces the country’s status as an emerging, reliable trade hub in Southeast Asia.
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