Cambodia and China recorded US$15.53 billion in bilateral trade during the first eight months of 2026, up more than 20 percent year on year, according to figures from Cambodia’s General Department of Customs and Excise cited in a September 11 report by Kampuchea Thmey. Cambodian exports to China rose 23.4 percent to US$1.3 billion, while imports increased 20.7 percent to US$14.2 billion.
The figures show that trade with China continues to expand rapidly, supported by manufacturing, agriculture, supply chains and trade agreements. At the same time, Cambodia’s trade deficit with China remains substantial, highlighting both the importance of Chinese inputs to the Cambodian economy and the challenge of increasing the value and volume of Cambodian exports to the Chinese market.
Key Facts
- What happened: Cambodia China bilateral trade reached US$15.53 billion in the first eight months of 2026.
- Who: Cambodia and China, with data from the General Department of Customs and Excise.
- Where: Bilateral trade between Cambodia and China.
- When: January through August 2026.
- Key figure: US$15.53 billion in total trade, up more than 20 percent year on year.
- Cambodian exports: US$1.3 billion, up 23.4 percent.
- Cambodian imports: US$14.2 billion, up 20.7 percent.
- Main exports: Agricultural products, furniture, jewellery and textiles.
- Main imports: Industrial raw materials, consumer goods, food and beverages, vehicles, machinery, construction materials, electrical equipment and electronics.
- Source: General Department of Customs and Excise figures cited by Kampuchea Thmey.
What Happened?
Cambodia’s trade relationship with China continued to expand strongly between January and August 2026. Total bilateral trade reached US$15.53 billion, representing growth of more than 20 percent compared with the same period a year earlier.
Cambodian exports recorded an even faster rate of growth than overall bilateral trade, reaching US$1.3 billion, a 23.4 percent increase year on year. Imports from China reached US$14.2 billion, up 20.7 percent. The figures show that while Cambodian products are gaining ground in the Chinese market, the scale of imports remains considerably larger.
Cambodia’s major exports during the period included agricultural products, furniture, jewellery and textiles. From the other direction, Chinese products entering Cambodia included industrial raw materials, consumer goods, food and beverages, vehicles, machinery, construction materials, electrical equipment and electronics.
Key Details
Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, First Vice Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, described China as an “indispensable strategic partner,” pointing to cooperation spanning manufacturing, agriculture, energy, tourism and infrastructure.
His comments underline the breadth of the Cambodia China economic relationship. China is not only an important destination and source of goods but also a major partner across several sectors of Cambodia’s economy. The trade figures therefore reflect a relationship that extends beyond the movement of finished consumer products.
Trade agreements are another important part of the relationship. Sun Chanthol said the Cambodia China Free Trade Agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership have helped open markets, facilitate trade and strengthen supply chains. These agreements provide a framework for Cambodian companies seeking access to China while also supporting the movement of goods and production inputs between the two economies.
Why It Matters?
The most striking feature of the latest figures is the continued difference between Cambodia’s exports to China and its imports from China. Based on the reported figures, Cambodia imported approximately US$12.9 billion more from China than it exported during the first eight months of 2026. This is a calculated difference based on the reported US$14.2 billion in imports and US$1.3 billion in exports.
The imbalance means that stronger bilateral trade does not automatically translate into a more balanced trading relationship. For Cambodia, the opportunity is to use growing access to the Chinese market to expand exports of agricultural products, furniture, jewellery, textiles and other goods while increasing domestic production and value addition.
At the same time, the scale of imports demonstrates the importance of China to Cambodia’s supply chains. Industrial raw materials, machinery, construction materials and electrical and electronic equipment can support factories, infrastructure development and business activity inside Cambodia. This means the trade deficit needs to be viewed alongside the role imported goods play in the wider economy rather than as a standalone measure of the relationship.
Cambodia Impact
From a business perspective, the latest figures point to continued commercial opportunities between Cambodian and Chinese companies. Cambodian exporters already serving the Chinese market may benefit from continued demand, while producers in agriculture, furniture, jewellery and textiles have opportunities to expand their presence.
The import figures are equally important for manufacturers and investors operating in Cambodia. Access to Chinese machinery, industrial inputs, electronics and construction materials can support production and investment activity. However, the long term opportunity for Cambodia will depend partly on whether more of these imported inputs can contribute to higher value production and ultimately stronger exports.
For investors, the figures also reinforce China's importance across Cambodia’s manufacturing, agriculture, energy, tourism and infrastructure sectors. The reported trade growth does not itself provide an investment forecast, but it shows the scale of commercial interaction between the two economies.
Background
Cambodia China trade reached US$19.73 billion in 2025, according to figures from Cambodia’s General Department of Customs and Excise reported by Agence Kampuchea Presse. Cambodia exported around US$1.68 billion to China, while imports from China exceeded US$18.04 billion.
The latest eight month figures therefore come after a year in which bilateral trade had already expanded substantially. In 2025, total Cambodia China trade increased 29.9 percent from US$15.18 billion in 2024, while Chinese imports increased 34.3 percent.
The pattern also shows why export growth remains an important issue for Cambodia. While Cambodian exports to China increased during the first eight months of 2026, they remain much smaller than imports. Strengthening market access is therefore only part of the challenge; Cambodia also needs competitive products capable of gaining greater market share.
What Happens Next?
The latest figures point to continued momentum in Cambodia China trade through 2026, but the available data does not provide a full year forecast or indicate whether the current pace will continue through December.
The immediate opportunity for Cambodian businesses is to build on the increase in exports while making greater use of market access created through the Cambodia China Free Trade Agreement and RCEP. The challenge is to expand the range, scale and value of Cambodian products entering China while maintaining the supply chains that support domestic manufacturing.
Angkor Times Analysis
From a business perspective, the most important story behind the US$15.53 billion trade figure is not simply the growth rate. It is the structure of the relationship. Cambodia is importing large quantities of industrial materials, machinery, electronics and other goods from China while exporting a much smaller volume of agricultural, furniture, jewellery and textile products. That creates both a trade imbalance and a potential development opportunity.
The development could be significant because imported machinery and production inputs can support Cambodia’s manufacturing capacity, while stronger exports can help local companies capture more value from access to the Chinese market. However, the available data does not yet show whether the faster growth in Cambodian exports during the first eight months represents a sustained structural improvement or a temporary change in trade patterns.
Cambodia’s challenge will therefore be to turn market access into greater export capacity. If local producers can increase productivity, quality, scale and value addition, the growing Cambodia China trade relationship could provide a larger platform for Cambodian businesses to reach Chinese consumers and supply chains.
Sources
Kampuchea Thmey Daily: “Cambodia China Trade Surges 20% to $15.5 Billion in Eight Months as Exports Accelerate,” September 11, 2026. Read the original report
Agence Kampuchea Presse: “Cambodia China Trade Hits US$19 Billion in 2025,” based on General Department of Customs and Excise data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Cambodia China trade worth in the first eight months of 2026?
Bilateral trade reached US$15.53 billion between January and August 2026, up more than 20 percent year on year.
How much did Cambodia export to China?
Cambodian exports to China reached US$1.3 billion during the first eight months of 2026, an increase of 23.4 percent year on year.
How much did Cambodia import from China?
Cambodia imported US$14.2 billion worth of goods from China during the period, up 20.7 percent year on year.
What products does Cambodia export to China?
Major exports included agricultural products, furniture, jewellery and textiles.
What does Cambodia import from China?
Major imports included industrial raw materials, consumer goods, food and beverages, vehicles, machinery, construction materials, electrical equipment and electronics.
Why is the trade deficit with China so large?
The reported figures show that Cambodian imports from China were more than 10 times the value of exports during the first eight months of 2026. Imports include significant quantities of industrial materials, machinery and other goods used by businesses and consumers.
What trade agreements support Cambodia China trade?
Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol cited the Cambodia China Free Trade Agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership as agreements that have opened markets, facilitated trade and strengthened supply chains.
What was Cambodia China trade worth in 2025?
Bilateral trade reached US$19.73 billion in 2025, according to General Department of Customs and Excise data reported by Agence Kampuchea Presse.