Long overshadowed by neighboring Vietnam and Laos, the Cambodian coffee industry is undergoing a high-value transformation in 2026. Driven by the SPIN Programme in the northeastern highlands and a booming “café culture” in Phnom Penh, the sector has shifted from subsistence farming to a sophisticated export-ready industry. With Mondulkiri at the heart of this “Coffee Revolution,” Cambodia is successfully carving out a niche in the global Specialty Coffee market, prioritizing quality over the mass-market quantity of its neighbors.
1. The Mondulkiri Micro-Climate: Cambodia’s “Coffee Highlands”
The province of Mondulkiri, with its volcanic soil and elevations of up to 800 meters, has become the epicenter of the industry.
- Robusta vs. Arabica: While Robusta remains the dominant crop due to its resilience, 2026 has seen a surge in Highland Arabica planting in the cooler pockets of Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri.
- Sustainable Farming: Unlike the industrial-scale plantations in Vietnam, Cambodian coffee is increasingly “forest-grown” or “shade-grown,” allowing it to fetch premium prices in European and American markets as a sustainable alternative.
2. The SPIN Effect: Boosting Processing and Exports
As mentioned in recent SPIN Programme updates, the government is no longer just encouraging planting; it is funding processing infrastructure.
- Value-Added Production: New $20M+ processing plants in the Northeast are now capable of washing, drying, and roasting beans on-site. This means Cambodia is exporting finished “Product of Cambodia” bags rather than just raw green beans.
- Geographical Indication (GI) Status: Efforts are underway in 2026 to grant “Mondulkiri Coffee” a GI status, similar to Kampot Pepper, to protect its brand identity and ensure premium global pricing.
3. The “Phnom Penh Effect”: Internal Demand
Cambodia’s domestic consumption is a primary driver of the industry’s growth.
- Café Culture: Phnom Penh now rivals Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City for the density of high-end coffee shops. Brands like Brown Coffee have paved the way for local specialty roasters like Feel Good and Three Corner Coffee.
- The Expat Influence: The growing retiree and expat community (as seen in our 2026 guides) has created a reliable market for high-quality, locally sourced beans.
Investment Opportunities
For investors, the opportunity in 2026 isn’t just in the soil—it’s in the supply chain. With the Funan Techo Canal nearing completion, the cost of moving processed coffee from the Northeast to the Sihanoukville port is dropping. We predict that “Cambodian Highland Coffee” will become the country’s next big agricultural export, following the success of cashews and rice.
Recommended Reading
- Mondulkiri’s $123M Boom: 5 Major Projects Greenlit for 2026 – Learn about the $123M investment fueling this coffee growth.
- Retiring in Cambodia: The 2026 Guide for Americans – Why coffee culture makes Cambodia a top choice for retirees.