Cambodia’s trade with the European Union surpassed US$4.45 billion during the first eight months of 2026, increasing by about 13.4 percent year on year, as exports to the bloc continued to significantly exceed imports.
According to figures reported by Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce, the Kingdom exported nearly US$3.8 billion worth of goods to EU member states between January and August, representing an increase of 12.84 percent compared with the same period in 2025.
Cambodia’s imports from the EU reached approximately US$656 million, rising by more than 17 percent over the same period.
The figures reinforce the importance of the European market to Cambodia’s export-oriented economy, particularly for manufacturing and agricultural products.
Key Facts
| Indicator | January–August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Cambodia–EU two-way trade | US$4.45 billion |
| Year-on-year growth | 13.45% |
| Cambodia’s exports to EU | Nearly US$3.8 billion |
| Export growth | 12.84% |
| Cambodia’s imports from EU | US$656 million |
| Import growth | More than 17% |
| Main EU markets | Spain, Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium |
| Main Cambodian export categories | Garments, footwear, travel goods and other manufactured/agricultural products |
The Ministry of Commerce figures were reported on September 18, 2026. Independent reporting based on the ministry data also put Cambodia’s EU trade at approximately US$4.45 billion for the first eight months, equivalent to about 8.5 percent of Cambodia’s total international trade during the period.
Cambodia Maintains Large Trade Surplus With EU
The latest figures show a substantial difference between Cambodia’s exports to and imports from the EU.
With exports approaching US$3.8 billion and imports at approximately US$656 million, Cambodia recorded a calculated trade surplus of roughly US$3.14 billion with the bloc during the first eight months.
This calculation is based on the reported export and import figures and is not a separate figure published by the Ministry of Commerce.
The trade structure reflects Cambodia’s role as a manufacturing and agricultural production base supplying European markets, while imports from Europe include higher-value manufactured and specialised products.
Garments, Footwear and Travel Goods Remain Important
Cambodia’s exports to the EU continue to be led by manufactured products, particularly garments, footwear and travel goods.
These industries have historically formed the backbone of Cambodia’s export economy and remain deeply integrated into European retail and supply chains.
Cambodia also exports agricultural and industrial products to European markets, including products such as rice, cassava, bicycles and other manufactured goods.
Official 2025 data showed that Cambodia’s exports to the EU reached US$5.01 billion, increasing 13.5 percent year on year. The Ministry of Commerce attributed the growth to manufacturing, agro-processing and emerging industrial products, including garments, footwear, travel goods, bicycles and vehicle tyres.
Spain, Netherlands and Germany Among Major EU Markets
Cambodia's principal EU export destinations include Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, France and Belgium.
In 2025, Spain was Cambodia’s largest EU export destination at approximately US$1.19 billion, followed by the Netherlands at US$1.01 billion. France received approximately US$568 million and Belgium US$503 million.
Germany remained another major market, with Cambodian exports to Germany reaching approximately US$1.10 billion in 2025.
The concentration of exports among several large European markets gives Cambodian manufacturers access to a broad consumer base while also linking domestic production to European supply chains.
EU Imports Into Cambodia Continue to Grow
While Cambodia’s exports to Europe are substantially larger, imports from the EU also increased during the first eight months of 2026.
The latest reported figure puts EU imports at approximately US$656 million, more than 17 percent higher than during the same period last year.
European products entering Cambodia include machinery, vehicles, pharmaceuticals, electrical equipment, household appliances and other specialised products.
In 2025, Cambodia imported US$863 million worth of goods from the EU, according to Ministry of Commerce data. Major import categories included machinery, household appliances, pharmaceuticals, vehicles, pearls and precious stones, textiles and electrical equipment.
2025 Trade Set a Strong Base
The latest eight-month performance follows strong bilateral trade growth in 2025.
Cambodia and the EU recorded approximately US$5.87 billion in two-way trade in 2025, according to the figures reported in the latest Cambodian media report.
Ministry of Commerce data separately shows that Cambodia exported US$5.01 billion to the EU in 2025, up 13.5 percent from 2024, while imports from the bloc reached US$863 million, down 5.8 percent.
The difference between the reported total trade figures and the rounded export and import figures reflects the underlying official data and rounding used in different reports.
EU Market Access Remains Important for Cambodia
Cambodian exporters continue to benefit from preferential access to the European market under the EU's Everything But Arms (EBA) framework, although preferences were partially withdrawn in 2020.
The EU has said Cambodia continues to benefit from duty-free and quota-free access for eligible products under EBA, while the preferences are linked to Cambodia's status as a Least Developed Country.
Cambodia is scheduled to graduate from LDC status in 2029, making the management of the transition increasingly important for exporters and policymakers.
Cambodian officials have previously said the EU will extend its trade preference benefits for three years after the country's LDC graduation, through 2032.
Customs Modernisation Supports Trade Efficiency
Trade growth is also being supported by efforts to improve customs and logistics efficiency.
In April 2026, the EU and Germany worked with Cambodian authorities on customs modernisation and trade facilitation, including the expansion of pre-arrival processing for express shipments at Techo International Airport.
The system allows customs information to be submitted and processed before goods physically arrive, helping reduce clearance times.
The EU said the initiative is part of the EU-German Global Access and Trade Expertise (GATE) programme, a €10 million initiative running from 2024 to 2028 that supports Cambodia's trade policy, customs processes and exporters' ability to meet international standards.
The EU has also said that more efficient and predictable customs procedures can support investment, trade competitiveness and economic growth.
EU Support Extends to Agricultural Exporters
EU cooperation with Cambodia also includes support for agricultural exporters seeking to meet international standards.
In March 2026, the EU announced a €2 million grant to establish a National Agricultural Laboratory as part of the €24.3 million EU-German Cambodia Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems programme.
The laboratory is intended to support food safety testing, sanitary and phytosanitary compliance and Cambodia's ability to meet international export requirements.
Twenty-nine Cambodian SMEs in the cashew, pepper and mango sectors were also selected for technical assistance and co-financing support.
These programmes are particularly relevant as Cambodia seeks to increase value-added agricultural exports and diversify beyond its traditional manufacturing base.
Trade Diversification Becomes More Important
Although EU exports are growing, Cambodia's trade with Europe remains concentrated in several major product categories.
The European Union's own trade policy assessment has encouraged Cambodia to strengthen product and market diversification, integrate domestic businesses into industrial value chains and maintain a predictable regulatory environment.
The EU has also supported Cambodia's efforts to simplify trade procedures, improve customs automation and strengthen market access.
For Cambodia, diversification could help reduce exposure to changes in demand within individual industries while creating opportunities for higher-value manufacturing and agricultural processing.
Cambodia's Broader Trade Continues to Expand
The growth in EU trade comes amid broader expansion in Cambodia's international commerce.
Cambodia's total international trade exceeded US$65.25 billion in 2025, with exports reaching US$31.28 billion and imports US$33.96 billion, according to Ministry of Commerce data reported by AKP.
The country's export base has also gradually expanded beyond traditional garments and footwear to include products such as vehicle tyres, electronic components, wiring harnesses, bicycles, machinery, furniture and other industrial goods.
This broader manufacturing base could provide additional opportunities for Cambodia to expand exports to European markets.
Opportunities Ahead for Cambodian Exporters
The continued growth in Cambodia–EU trade provides opportunities for manufacturers and agricultural producers, but maintaining access to the European market requires continued attention to product quality, standards, sustainability and supply-chain requirements.
This is particularly relevant as European regulations increasingly place greater emphasis on environmental and social standards throughout international supply chains.
Cambodian companies seeking to expand exports will therefore need to strengthen compliance systems while improving productivity, processing capacity and product diversification.
For smaller companies, technical assistance and export-support programmes could be important in meeting these requirements.
Angkor Times Analysis
The first eight months of 2026 show that the EU remains an important destination for Cambodian exports, with two-way trade reaching more than US$4.45 billion and exports accounting for the overwhelming majority of the bilateral trade value. The nearly 13 percent increase in exports suggests continued demand for Cambodian products in European markets.
The more important issue for Cambodia's next phase is how to sustain this growth as the country approaches LDC graduation in 2029. Maintaining market access will increasingly depend on competitiveness, compliance with European standards, logistics efficiency and the ability to move into higher-value products.
The EU's support for customs digitalisation, agricultural testing infrastructure and trade facilitation could help Cambodian businesses address some of these requirements. At the same time, Cambodia's continued concentration in garments, footwear and travel goods means that expanding agricultural processing, electronics, automotive components and other industrial exports could strengthen the long-term resilience of Cambodia–EU trade.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Cambodia trade with the EU in the first eight months of 2026?
Cambodia's two-way trade with the European Union reached approximately US$4.45 billion from January through August 2026, up about 13.4 percent year on year.
How much did Cambodia export to the EU?
Cambodia exported nearly US$3.8 billion worth of goods to EU member states during the first eight months of 2026, an increase of 12.84 percent from the same period in 2025.
What are Cambodia's main exports to Europe?
Garments, footwear and travel goods remain major export categories. Cambodia also exports bicycles, agricultural products and a growing range of industrial goods to European markets.
Which EU countries are major markets for Cambodia?
Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, France and Belgium are among Cambodia's major EU export destinations.
How much did Cambodia trade with the EU in 2025?
Cambodia's exports to the EU reached approximately US$5.01 billion in 2025, while imports from the EU were about US$863 million.
When will Cambodia graduate from LDC status?
Cambodia is scheduled to graduate from the United Nations Least Developed Country category in 2029. The EU has indicated that its trade preference benefits for Cambodia will continue for three years after graduation, through 2032.
What is the EU doing to support Cambodia's trade?
EU and German programmes support customs modernisation, trade facilitation, exporter assistance, agricultural standards and market access. In April 2026, the EU and Germany highlighted expanded pre-arrival processing for express shipments at Techo International Airport.