Cambodia’s international trade reached US$57.01 billion in the first nine months of 2026, an increase of 21.3% year-on-year, as both exports and imports recorded strong growth. Data released by the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) on October 9 showed that exports rose to US$27.09 billion, while imports reached US$29.92 billion. Despite the expansion in trade activity, Cambodia’s trade deficit widened to US$2.83 billion.
Key Facts
Total trade: US$57.01 billion from January to September 2026, up 21.3% year-on-year.
Exports: US$27.09 billion, increasing 21% from US$22.38 billion.
Imports: US$29.92 billion, rising 21.6% from US$24.61 billion.
Trade deficit: US$2.83 billion, compared with US$2.23 billion a year earlier.
Export coverage ratio: 90.6%, down slightly from 90.9% in the same period of 2025.
Data source: General Department of Customs and Excise, with figures released on October 9, 2026.
Cambodia’s Trade Expands by More Than US$10 Billion
Cambodia’s combined exports and imports increased from US$46.99 billion in the first nine months of 2025 to US$57.01 billion during the same period in 2026.
The increase of approximately US$10.02 billion reflects a substantial expansion in cross-border trade. The growth was supported by rising export values alongside an even faster increase in imports.
The figures indicate that international trade remained an important component of Cambodia’s economic activity during the first three quarters of the year. However, total trade growth alone does not reveal how much domestic value was created, how profitable exports were, or how the additional imports were used.
Exports Rise 21% to US$27.09 Billion
Cambodia’s exports reached US$27.09 billion between January and September 2026, up 21% from US$22.38 billion recorded during the corresponding period of 2025.
The increase represents approximately US$4.71 billion in additional export value year-on-year.
Export growth is important for Cambodia because overseas sales generate foreign-exchange earnings and support businesses involved in manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and other export-related activities.
Nevertheless, the GDCE figures provided in the source report do not identify the individual products, destination markets or industries responsible for the overall increase. A more detailed breakdown would be needed to determine which sectors contributed most to export growth and whether the gains were concentrated in a limited number of markets or products.
Imports Increase 21.6% to US$29.92 Billion
Imports rose to US$29.92 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 21.6% from US$24.61 billion a year earlier.
The increase amounted to approximately US$5.31 billion, exceeding the year-on-year increase in export value.
Import growth can reflect different types of economic activity, including demand for consumer products, industrial inputs, machinery and equipment. However, the aggregate figures alone do not establish which categories drove Cambodia’s import expansion.
For policymakers and businesses, the composition of imports matters. Imports used for production, infrastructure and industrial investment can support future economic activity, while other categories may primarily reflect domestic consumption. The available figures do not provide enough detail to determine the balance between these uses.
Trade Deficit Widens to US$2.83 Billion
Cambodia recorded a merchandise trade deficit of US$2.83 billion in January–September 2026 because imports exceeded exports.
The deficit widened from US$2.23 billion in the same period of 2025, an increase of US$600 million, or approximately 26.9%.
The larger deficit reflects the difference between the growth in imports and exports. Although exports increased substantially, the value of imports rose by more in absolute terms.
A trade deficit does not, by itself, establish that an economy is performing poorly. Its implications depend partly on what the country imports, how exports generate value, and how trade is financed. The available data show the size of the merchandise trade gap but do not provide a complete picture of Cambodia’s broader external accounts.
Export Coverage Ratio Edges Down to 90.6%
Cambodia’s export coverage ratio stood at 90.6% in the first nine months of 2026, compared with 90.9% in the same period a year earlier.
The ratio measures exports as a proportion of imports. At 90.6%, export earnings equalled approximately US$90.60 for every US$100 of imports during the reporting period.
The slight decline indicates that exports covered a marginally smaller share of import values than in the previous year. This is consistent with imports growing faster than exports, although the ratio should be considered alongside the wider trade figures rather than as a standalone measure of economic performance.
What the Trade Figures Mean for Cambodian Businesses?
The expansion in total trade has several implications for businesses operating in Cambodia, although the aggregate data do not establish the performance of individual industries.
Exporters and manufacturers
The 21% increase in export value provides a positive headline indicator for companies selling goods abroad. However, businesses should assess demand by product and destination market, as well as production costs, logistics expenses and market-access conditions.
Importers and distributors
The faster growth in imports may create opportunities for companies involved in distribution, wholesale trade and the supply of imported goods. Importers should also consider currency exposure, shipping costs and inventory requirements when planning purchases.
Logistics and port operators
Higher trade volumes can increase demand for freight handling, warehousing, customs clearance and transportation services. The figures do not quantify activity at individual ports or logistics facilities, but they provide broader context for companies serving Cambodia’s international trade network.
Investors
The expansion of trade may be relevant to investors evaluating Cambodia’s role in regional and global supply chains. A more complete assessment would require additional information on sector-level exports, foreign investment, industrial production, domestic value added and the sustainability of external demand.
Angkor Times Analysis
Cambodia’s 21.3% trade growth is a strong increase in nominal trade value, but the widening deficit highlights an important distinction: expanding trade and improving the balance between exports and imports are not the same outcome.
Exports added approximately US$4.71 billion compared with the first nine months of 2025, while imports increased by about US$5.31 billion. This difference explains why the merchandise trade deficit grew even as export performance improved.
The next question is the quality and composition of this growth. If a significant share of additional imports consists of machinery, equipment and production inputs, some of the spending could help expand future productive capacity. If growth is concentrated in other categories, the longer-term implications may be different. The available aggregate figures do not establish which scenario applies.
For Cambodia, sustained export competitiveness will depend not only on increasing sales abroad but also on productivity, product diversification, reliable logistics, skills development and the ability of domestic suppliers to participate in international value chains.
Businesses and investors should therefore look beyond the headline trade total and examine sector-level data, export destinations and import categories as more detailed figures become available.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much was Cambodia’s total trade in the first nine months of 2026?
Cambodia’s total exports and imports reached US$57.01 billion from January to September 2026, up 21.3% from US$46.99 billion in the same period of 2025.
2. How much did Cambodia export in the period?
Exports totalled US$27.09 billion, increasing 21% from US$22.38 billion a year earlier.
3. What was Cambodia’s import value?
Imports reached US$29.92 billion, rising 21.6% from US$24.61 billion in the first nine months of 2025.
4. Why did Cambodia’s trade deficit widen?
Imports increased by approximately US$5.31 billion year-on-year, compared with an export increase of about US$4.71 billion. As a result, imports continued to exceed exports, widening the deficit to US$2.83 billion.
5. What is the export coverage ratio?
The export coverage ratio measures exports as a proportion of imports. Cambodia’s ratio was 90.6% in the first nine months of 2026, meaning export value equalled approximately 90.6% of import value.
6. Which industries contributed most to Cambodia’s trade growth?
The source report provides aggregate export and import figures but does not specify the leading products, industries or destination markets behind the increase. A sector-level breakdown would be required to answer this question accurately.