Cambodia’s economy is moving fast—and the numbers prove it.
In 2025, the Kingdom’s total trade volume soared past US$64 billion, marking a powerful statement about its resilience, adaptability, and global integration. Exports reached US$30.43 billion, while imports climbed to US$33.88 billion, according to the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia (GDCE).
That’s not just growth. That’s momentum.
And here’s the real question: How did Cambodia manage to expand trade so strongly in a year filled with geopolitical tensions, border disruptions, and shifting global tariffs?
Let’s break it down.
Cambodia Trade Growth 2025: A Double-Digit Expansion Story
Speaking at the GDCE’s 2025 annual review and 2026 work orientation meeting in Phnom Penh on February 12, H.E. Dr. Kun Nhim, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister and Director General of the GDCE, laid out the figures with clarity.
Exports jumped 14.6 percent year-on-year. Imports grew even faster at 18.7 percent.
Those aren’t marginal gains. They’re double-digit expansions in a complex global environment.
Think of Cambodia’s trade sector like a ship navigating choppy waters. Around it, storms rage—border closures, tariff shifts, geopolitical conflicts. Yet the vessel doesn’t stall. It accelerates.
That acceleration tells us something important: Cambodia’s trade engine is diversifying and strengthening.
Major Imports: Fueling Cambodia’s Industrial Machine
Let’s talk imports.
What is Cambodia buying from the world?
The list is revealing:
- Petroleum products
- Vehicles and machinery
- Textile raw materials
- Manufacturing inputs
- Construction materials
- Chemicals
- Consumer goods
- Equipment for investment projects
This isn’t random consumption. This is industrial fuel.
Petroleum powers transportation and manufacturing. Machinery strengthens factories. Textile inputs support the garment industry. Construction materials feed infrastructure growth.
When imports grow in these sectors, it often signals expansion rather than dependency. Cambodia isn’t just importing to consume—it’s importing to produce.
And that’s a key distinction.
Export Performance 2025: Garments And Industrial Goods Lead The Charge
On the export side, the numbers tell an even more dynamic story.
Garment Exports Continue To Climb
Garment investment products increased by 16.4 percent. The garment sector remains a pillar of Cambodia’s economy, and it’s not slowing down.
Despite global competition and shifting trade rules, Cambodian garments continue to find markets abroad. That resilience reflects improved production efficiency and sustained foreign investment.
But here’s where things get interesting.
Non-Garment Industrial Exports Surge 20.1 Percent
Non-garment industrial exports surged by an impressive 20.1 percent.
This category includes:
- Car tyres
- Electronic components
- Wiring harnesses
- Wood products and furniture
- Bicycles
- Plastic products
- Video game equipment and machines
- Animal hides
- Auto parts
What does that tell us?
Cambodia is no longer a single-sector export economy. It’s evolving.
The surge in electronics, automotive components, and higher-value manufacturing signals structural transformation. The country is gradually climbing the industrial ladder.
If garments built the foundation, industrial diversification is building the second floor.
Agricultural Exports Dip: A Sector Facing Pressure
Not all sectors experienced growth.
Agricultural exports declined by 4.4 percent in 2025.
This dip raises important questions. Is it due to price volatility? Supply chain disruptions? Climate-related challenges?
While industrial exports surge ahead, agriculture appears to be navigating headwinds. That doesn’t diminish its importance—agriculture remains vital for rural livelihoods and food security—but it highlights the uneven nature of economic transitions.
As Cambodia modernizes, policymakers may need to ensure agriculture keeps pace with industrial transformation.
Economic Challenges: Border Closures And Global Tensions
Let’s be honest—2025 was not an easy year.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance H.E. Dr. Aun Pornmoniroth acknowledged the obstacles clearly.
Cambodia faced:
- Land border closures with Thailand
- Global geopolitical uncertainty
- U.S. reciprocal tariffs introduced in early Q2 2025
- The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war
Each of these factors alone can disrupt trade flows. Combined, they create a perfect storm.
Border closures complicate logistics. Tariffs increase costs. War disrupts global supply chains and commodity prices.
Yet Cambodia still posted double-digit trade growth.
That’s not accidental. It reflects adaptability and strategic positioning.
Customs Performance: Revenue And Operational Strength
Dr. Aun Pornmoniroth praised customs officials nationwide for achieving strong revenue and operational outcomes despite the pressures.
Customs administrations are often invisible engines of economic governance. When they function efficiently, trade flows smoothly. When they falter, bottlenecks appear.
In 2025, Cambodia’s customs authorities didn’t falter.
They collected revenue effectively. They maintained operational discipline. They adapted to disruption.
And now, they’re preparing for the next phase.
Digital Transformation In Customs: The Road To Full Automation
Here’s where the future becomes exciting.
For 2026, the Ministry of Economy and Finance has laid out a bold direction: accelerate digital transformation in customs operations—with a long-term vision of full automation.
Imagine customs clearance that’s faster, more transparent, and less prone to human error.
Automation reduces corruption risks. It cuts paperwork. It speeds up processing. It strengthens compliance.
Digital transformation isn’t just about technology—it’s about competitiveness.
In global trade, time is money. The faster goods clear customs, the more attractive a country becomes to investors.
Cambodia understands this.
Combating Tax Evasion And Illegal Imports
Another key priority for 2026 is tightening enforcement.
Dr. Aun Pornmoniroth emphasized:
- Strengthening efforts to combat tax evasion
- Cracking down on illegal imports
- Enhancing compliance with rules of origin for exports
Why does this matter?
Because fairness builds trust.
When some businesses evade taxes or misdeclare goods, compliant companies suffer. Revenue weakens. Governance credibility erodes.
Stronger enforcement levels the playing field and protects national revenue.
It also ensures Cambodian exports meet international trade standards—especially critical in an era of tighter global scrutiny.
Expanding The Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme
Another strategic move is expanding participation in the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme.
If you’re unfamiliar with AEO, think of it as a “trusted trader” system. Companies that meet strict compliance standards receive faster customs processing and fewer inspections.
It’s a win-win.
Businesses enjoy smoother trade. Authorities focus resources on higher-risk shipments.
Expanding AEO participation signals Cambodia’s commitment to international best practices in trade facilitation.
Qualified Investment Projects (QIPs) And Investment Climate Reform
The government is also prioritizing improvements to incentive mechanisms for Qualified Investment Projects (QIPs).
QIPs are central to attracting foreign direct investment. They offer incentives to businesses that contribute to industrial development and job creation.
But incentives only work if they’re effective and transparent.
Enhancing governance, improving operational efficiency, and refining QIP frameworks all point to one goal: strengthening Cambodia’s investment climate.
Because trade growth doesn’t happen in isolation. It thrives in environments where investors feel secure and systems function smoothly.
Governance And Operational Efficiency: The Backbone Of Growth
Behind all these policies lies a simple truth: systems matter.
Strong governance ensures revenue integrity. Efficient operations reduce delays. Transparent procedures attract global partners.
Cambodia’s 2026 agenda reflects an understanding that sustained trade growth requires institutional strength—not just favorable market conditions.
And that’s a mature economic signal.
What Cambodia’s 2025 Trade Figures Really Mean
So, what’s the big picture?
Cambodia’s US$64 billion trade volume in 2025 represents more than a statistic.
It reflects:
- Industrial diversification
- Resilience amid global turbulence
- Growing integration into global supply chains
- Strategic policy direction toward automation and compliance
Yes, imports outpaced exports slightly. Yes, agriculture faced setbacks. But the broader trajectory is clear: Cambodia is positioning itself as a competitive, industrializing economy in Southeast Asia.
Trade growth at this scale doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built on reforms, infrastructure, private-sector expansion, and institutional adaptation.
The Road Ahead: Sustaining Momentum In 2026 And Beyond
The real challenge now isn’t achieving growth—it’s sustaining it.
Can Cambodia continue diversifying exports?
Can digital customs reform be fully realized?
Can agriculture rebound while industry accelerates?
If 2025 is any indication, the foundation is solid.
Cambodia’s trade engine is running—not quietly, but confidently.
And as digital transformation deepens and governance reforms strengthen, the Kingdom may well shift from being a fast-growing economy to a structurally competitive one.
In global trade, adaptability is survival.
In 2025, Cambodia didn’t just survive. It expanded.
And if policy execution matches ambition in 2026, the next trade milestone may not just be bigger—it may be transformative.
FAQ
Cambodia’s total trade volume exceeded US$64 billion in 2025, with exports reaching US$30.43 billion and imports totaling US$33.88 billion.
Exports increased by 14.6 percent year-on-year, reflecting strong performance in garment and non-garment industrial sectors.
Non-garment industrial exports grew by 20.1 percent, including products such as electronic components, car tyres, bicycles, auto parts, and furniture. Garment exports also rose by 16.4 percent.
Agricultural exports fell by 4.4 percent. The decline may be linked to market volatility, supply chain disruptions, or global economic pressures affecting demand.
Major imports included petroleum products, vehicles and machinery, textile raw materials, construction materials, chemicals, manufacturing inputs, consumer goods, and equipment for investment projects.
Cambodia encountered several external pressures, including Cambodia-Thailand land border closures, global geopolitical uncertainty, U.S. reciprocal tariffs introduced in early Q2 2025, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Key reforms include accelerating digital transformation toward full automation, strengthening enforcement against tax evasion and illegal imports, improving compliance with rules of origin, expanding the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, and enhancing governance.
The AEO programme is a trusted trader system that allows compliant businesses to benefit from faster customs clearance and reduced inspections, improving trade efficiency.
QIPs offer incentives to investors in key sectors, encouraging industrial expansion, job creation, and export growth while improving Cambodia’s overall investment climate.
The strong trade performance signals economic resilience, industrial diversification, and deeper integration into global supply chains, positioning Cambodia for continued growth in 2026 and beyond.