Cambodia’s rice sector is having a remarkable year. What used to feel like a distant ambition has now turned into a very real possibility. In the first eleven months of 2025, the country moved more than eight hundred thousand tonnes of milled rice to markets abroad and earned over five hundred twenty six million dollars. When paddy rice exports are added, the value climbs above one point nine billion dollars. For many in the industry, this is the strongest sign yet that Cambodia is ready to meet the one million tonne target that was first spoken about more than ten years ago.
The latest numbers from the Cambodia Rice Federation show just how far things have come. Between January and November, Cambodia exported 801,643 tonnes of rice. During the same period last year, the country shipped only 575,562 tonnes. The improvement is clear, and so is the rise in revenue, which jumped from 413.9 million dollars in 2024 to more than 526 million dollars this year. Cambodian rice reached seventy two destinations, supported by sixty five exporters who kept the supply chain moving.
Europe remained the top buyer. More than 307,000 tonnes made their way to European shelves, mostly fragrant varieties that continue to define Cambodia’s reputation. China and its autonomous regions bought more than 188,000 tonnes, while ASEAN countries ordered more than 218,000 tonnes. The rest went to a mix of markets from Africa to the Middle East and small island economies that have become repeat customers.
Fragrant rice kept its position as Cambodia’s strongest export. It accounted for nearly two thirds of total shipments. White rice, broken rice, organic and parboiled varieties made up the rest. This mix reflects how buyers have grown more familiar with Cambodian rice and are now choosing it for different product lines and consumer preferences.
Paddy rice exports also brought in high earnings. In the first eleven months of the year, Cambodia shipped more than six million tonnes of paddy worth about 1.4 billion dollars. Although the volume dipped slightly compared to last year, the overall performance shows that the sector remains stable and competitive.
According to CRF president Lay Chhun Hour, the 2025 figure is the highest milled rice export volume Cambodia has ever recorded. For many years, the country hovered between 300,000 and 650,000 tonnes annually. Breaking through the 800,000 tonne mark shows how much has changed in the sector. He credits this to a decade of investment in milling technology, better seed systems and stronger government support.
Hour explained that policies such as tax exemptions, easier export procedures, and financing from agricultural development banks have helped rice millers modernise and grow. Improvements in irrigation and cultivation practices also played a major role, giving farmers better yields and more predictable harvests.
New doors are opening as well. On December 3, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Dith Tina met a delegation from Food Terminal Incorporated, a major Philippine company exploring the option of sourcing rice directly from Cambodia. Tina said such a partnership would benefit both countries. The Philippines would secure high quality rice, while Cambodia would gain another international buyer. More demand, he added, would allow mills to purchase additional paddy from local farmers.
Cambodia’s rice story this year is not just about numbers. It shows a sector gaining confidence, building new connections and proving its competitiveness in global markets. If current trends continue, the long held one million tonne goal might finally be achieved. For farmers, exporters and policymakers, that milestone would mark more than a statistic. It would demonstrate how far Cambodia’s agricultural sector has come and how ready it is for its next chapter.
