PHNOM PENH — Cambodia’s export sector is experiencing remarkable momentum in 2026, shrugging off global economic headwinds to post double-digit growth. According to the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE), Cambodia’s total trade reached US$23.38 billion in the first four months of 2026, a 19.9 percent increase compared to the same period last year, with exports surging 21.7 percent to US$11.12 billion.
Several factors are driving this impressive performance: the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), bilateral free trade agreements with China, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates, alongside deepening integration within ASEAN.
Below is a breakdown of the top 10 export products powering Cambodia’s growth in 2026.
Top 10 Export Products from Cambodia (January – April 2026)
| Rank | Product Category | Export Value (Jan-Apr 2026) | Key Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garments & Textiles | $5.02 billion | US, EU, Japan, UK, Canada |
| 2 | Machinery & Electrical Equipment | $1.5 billion+ | Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam |
| 3 | Footwear | $705 million | US, EU |
| 4 | Travel Goods (Bags & Luggage) | $724 million | US, EU, Japan |
| 5 | Rice (Milled) | $266 million | EU, China, ASEAN |
| 6 | Rubber & Rubber Products | $874.6 million (inc. tyres) | Vietnam, China, Malaysia |
| 7 | Cashew Nuts (Raw) | est. $1 billion+ | Vietnam, China |
| 8 | Cassava & Derivatives | est. $500 million+ | Thailand, China, Vietnam |
| 9 | Bicycles & E-bikes | est. $400 million+ | EU, UK, US |
| 10 | Fruits & Vegetables | est. $300 million+ | China, ASEAN |
1. Garments, Footwear & Travel Goods (GFT) – The Undisputed King
The GFT sector remains Cambodia’s most important export pillar, accounting for over 45% of national export earnings. Between January and April 2026, GFT exports reached US$5.02 billion, marking an 11.26 percent year-on-year growth despite geopolitical challenges.
Breaking down GFT exports:
- Knitted apparel & clothing accessories: $2.15 billion
- Non-knitted apparel & clothing accessories: $1.29 billion
- Footwear: $705 million (+13.2%)
- Travel goods (luggage, backpacks): $724 million (+8.9%)
- Other made-up textile articles: $143 million (+62.3% 🔥)
“The strong start to 2026 raises optimism that the export sector could maintain positive momentum throughout the year if global demand remains stable and supply chain disruptions ease further.” — General Department of Customs and Excise report.
Key Markets for GFT:
- United States – largest single market for Cambodian garments
- European Union – second-largest destination
- Japan, Canada, United Kingdom – growing steadily
Why GFT Continues to Thrive:
- Cambodia benefits from the “China plus one” manufacturing strategy, as multinational companies diversify production locations away from China.
- Preferential trade access under the Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme (partial) and bilateral agreements ensures competitive tariff rates.
- The 62% surge in “other made-up textile articles” suggests product diversification and higher-value manufacturing.
2. Rice – A Strategic Agricultural Export
Cambodia exported 469,909 tonnes of milled rice in the first four months of 2026, generating US$266.38 million in revenue.
Market Diversification: A Key Success Story
Unlike previous years, Cambodian rice is no longer overly dependent on a single market. The export structure has evolved into three strong pillars:
| Market | Volume (tonnes) | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASEAN | 177,761 | $72.15 million | 38% |
| China | 129,332 | $75.88 million | 28% |
| EU | 126,108 | $85.44 million | 27% |
“The market structure is evolving into three strong pillars: EU, China, and ASEAN. This shows that Cambodian rice exports are no longer mainly dependent on the EU and China as before 2024.” — Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF).
Rice Varieties (Milled Rice Exports):
- Fragrant rice (phka Rumduol): 58.66% – the dominant premium variety
- White rice: 21.38%
- Broken rice: 17.18%
- Parboiled rice: 1.69%
- Organic rice: 0.89%
Additionally, Cambodia exported over 2.68 million tonnes of paddy rice (unprocessed) worth an estimated US$576.10 million in the first four months.
3. Machinery & Electrical Equipment – The Rising Star
Machinery and electrical equipment exports have surged, driven by Cambodia’s integration into regional electronics supply chains. Cambodia now exports electronic components, wires, and small appliances to Japan, South Korea, and China.
| Sub-category | Examples | Key Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic components | Wires, cables, connectors | Japan, South Korea |
| Consumer electronics | Small appliances | Vietnam, China |
| Solar panels | Photovoltaic modules | EU, ASEAN |
“The growth of non-traditional exports, including electronic components, shows that Cambodia is gradually moving up the manufacturing value chain.” — Lim Heng, Vice-President of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce.
4. Bicycles & E-bikes – Niche Success
Cambodia has become a regional hub for bicycle assembly, exporting high-quality bicycles to the EU, UK, and US. Several international brands have established assembly plants in Cambodia’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs), leveraging preferential trade access.
| Product | Key Destinations | Growth Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Bicycles | EU, UK, US | High-quality assembly; zero tariff access |
| E-bikes | EU, Japan | Growing demand for e-mobility |
5. Agricultural Products (Cashew, Cassava, Rubber, Fruits)
Cashew Nuts
Cambodia is one of the world’s top cashew nut producers. While most are exported as raw nuts to Vietnam for processing, the government is actively encouraging domestic processing to capture more value. In 2025, cashew exports exceeded $1.5 billion, and 2026 is on track to surpass that figure.
Rubber
Cambodia exports rubber latex and processed rubber to Vietnam, China, and Malaysia. With the inauguration of new KIMS rubber processing plants (Thbong Khmum and planned in Rattanakiri), Cambodia is gradually moving from raw rubber exports to value-added processing.
Cassava
Cassava (dried starch, chips, and fresh) is primarily exported to Thailand and China. The government is promoting processing into animal feed and industrial starch to increase its value.
Fruits (bananas, mangoes, and durians)
- Bananas: China is the primary market under a phytosanitary protocol.
- Mangoes: Processed mango products (dried and juice) are increasingly shipped to China, South Korea, and Japan.
- Durians & other tropical fruits: Niche exports to China and regional markets.
Export Growth Drivers: Why Cambodia is Winning
1. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)
Cambodia’s export success is closely tied to its network of trade agreements:
“These regional and bilateral trade agreements have served as catalysts for long-term, sustainable export growth by providing preferential tariffs for Cambodian products.” — H.E. Penn Sovicheat, Ministry of Commerce Secretary of State.
2. RCEP: The Game Changer
RCEP, which entered into force for Cambodia in 2022, covers 15 Asia-Pacific nations, including China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and the 10 ASEAN members. By simplifying “rules of origin,” RCEP allows Cambodian manufacturers to source raw materials from any member country and still qualify for tariff-free exports within the bloc.
3. ASEAN Market Integration
Cambodia’s trade with ASEAN reached $4.86 billion in Q1 2026, up 10.5% year-on-year. ASEAN now accounts for 27.6% of Cambodia’s total trade, making it the most important regional bloc for the Kingdom.
Cambodia’s main exports to ASEAN include:
- Garments, footwear, travel goods
- Solar panels and car tires
- Electronics
- Rice, cashew nuts, rubber latex, cassava, durians, bananas
Top 5 Export Destinations (Q1 2026)
Additional major markets include Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.
FAQ: Cambodia’s Export Economy
Q: What is Cambodia’s largest export?
A: Garments, footwear, and travel goods (GFT) are the largest export category, generating over $5 billion in the first four months of 2026 and accounting for over 45% of total export earnings .
Q: How did Cambodia’s total exports perform in early 2026?
A: Exports reached US$11.12 billion in January-April 2026, up 21.7% year-on-year .
Q: What trade agreements help Cambodian exporters?
A: Cambodia benefits from RCEP, the Cambodia-China FTA, the Cambodia-South Korea FTA, the Cambodia-UAE CEPA, and generalized preferential schemes like the EU’s EBA (partial) and US GSP .
Q: Is Cambodia diversifying beyond garment exports?
A: Yes. While garments remain dominant, electronic components, bicycle assembly, solar panels, and processed agricultural products are growing rapidly .
Q: What agricultural products does Cambodia export?
A: Rice, cashew nuts, rubber, cassava, bananas, mangoes, and durians are major agricultural exports .
Q: Where can I find official export data?
A: The General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) and Ministry of Commerce publish regular reports. The Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) provides specific rice export data.
Final Outlook
Cambodia’s export sector in 2026 demonstrates remarkable resilience and growing sophistication. The traditional dominance of garments is being complemented by electronics, bicycle assembly, and processed agricultural products. The country’s integration into RCEP and bilateral FTAs is paying clear dividends.
However, challenges remain: rising logistics costs, skills gaps in higher-value manufacturing, and global demand uncertainty. The government’s focus on Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and workforce upskilling will be key to sustaining momentum.
“Despite facing the continuing turbulence in the global economy, Cambodia’s exports have shown remarkable growth since the beginning of this year. It shows the potential of Made-in-Cambodia products, which stand firmly in major markets in the US, RCEP countries, the ASEAN bloc, and the EU.” — H.E. Penn Sovicheat Ministry of Commerce Spokesperson
Sources
Disclaimer: Export figures are based on official GDCE, Ministry of Commerce, and CRF data as of May 2026. Estimates for certain categories (bicycles, fruits) are based on partial data and industry reports. All figures are subject to revision by statistical authorities.