Cambodia-Thailand trade reaches nearly $1B in 4 months

Cambodia-Thailand trade reaches nearly $1B in 4 months

In spite of restrictions affecting land border checkpoints between the two Kingdoms, the nearly $1 billion trade volume highlights a strong demand for goods in both markets.

Despite land border restrictions, bilateral trade between Cambodia and Thailand recorded approximately $239 million in April, bringing the total volume to $925 million in the first four months, according to the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE).

The Trade Balance Statistics released by GDCE on Monday showed that Cambodia exported goods worth around $235 million to Thailand during the January-April period, down 28.3 per cent from $327 million in the same period last year.

Meanwhile, Cambodia imported goods worth approximately $690 million from Thailand, representing a sharp decline of 40.8 percent compared to $1.16 billion in the corresponding period of 2025, resulting in a trade surplus in favour of Thailand.

In spite of restrictions affecting all land border checkpoints between the two neighbouring Kingdoms, the nearly $1 billion trade volume highlighted continued cross-border economic activity and strong demand for goods in both markets.

The GDCE statistics indicated that total bilateral trade between Cambodia and Thailand declined by 38.1 percent year-on-year to $925.4 million in the first four months this year, compared to $1.49 billion recorded during the same period last year.

With bilateral trade already reaching around $696 million during the first quarter of 2026, the latest GDCE figures showed that trade activities between Cambodia and Thailand in April alone were valued at approximately $239 million.

Despite Cambodian boycotts of Thai products, including fuels, cosmetics and consumer goods, Thailand remained one of Cambodia’s key trading partners, ranking fifth on the GDCE list, due to strong trade of agricultural, construction materials and industrial supplies.

Although border restrictions and slower regional demand affected trade flows, the continued movement of goods demonstrated the unbreakable economic ties between the neighbouring countries.

Speaking to Khmer Times, Chea Chandara, President of the Logistics Supply Chain and Brokers Business Association in Cambodia (LOSCBA), said that the substantial trade volume between Cambodia and Thailand is largely due to local distributors still lacking access to reliable and sufficient supply sources from alternative regional markets.

Chandara said, “The Cambodian boycott of Thai products goes beyond commercial considerations, as it is also linked to national interests and concerns over long-term sovereignty, prompting local distributors to gradually seek alternative suppliers outside Thailand, which could eventually contribute to a reduction in bilateral trade flows.”

However, he emphasised that trade between neighbouring countries is difficult to eliminate completely due to geographical proximity, established logistics networks and transport convenience, which often make cross-border trade more efficient and cost-effective.

Responding to questions on raw agricultural products that are typically exported to Thailand for processing into animal feed, Chandara explained that Cambodia has increasingly diversified its markets, with cassava exports growing notably to China.

However, he noted that Thailand still remains an important destination, particularly for shipments transported via sea routes. “Beyond agricultural commodities, there is also a notable and increasing export of aluminium scrap to the Thai market.”

khmertimeskh