Cambodia’s rice exports to China surge 83% in four months

Cambodia’s rice exports to China surge 83% in four months

Chinese Ambassador Wang welcomes the sharp rise in exports, describing it as evidence of deepening economic cooperation between the two countries.

Cambodia’s rice exports to China surged an impressive 83 percent in the first four months of 2026 compared to the same period last year, underlining the growing strength of bilateral trade ties and reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a major agricultural supplier to the Chinese market.

An official statement quoting the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) said that the Kingdom exported 129,332 tonnes of milled rice to China from January to April 2026, generating a revenue of $75.88 million.

Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin welcomed the sharp rise in exports, describing it as evidence of deepening economic cooperation between the two countries.

In a statement posted on Facebook on May 12, Ambassador Wang said the increase demonstrated how the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the China-Cambodia Free Trade Agreement are helping to accelerate Cambodia’s agricultural trade.

RCEP came into force for Cambodia in 2022 and has since opened broader access to key Asian markets through lower tariffs and streamlined customs procedures. The China-Cambodia Free Trade Agreement, which also took effect in 2022, has provided additional preferential treatment for Cambodian agricultural products entering the Chinese market.

Lun Yeng, Secretary-General of the CRF, said China continues to play a critical role in Cambodia’s rice industry, accounting for 28 percent of the Kingdom’s total rice exports during the first four months of this year.

He noted that ongoing cooperation between Cambodian authorities and Chinese partners is expected to further expand rice shipments in the coming years, particularly as Cambodia seeks to diversify export destinations and increase the value of its agricultural sector.

“The Chinese market remains highly important for Cambodia’s premium rice exports,” Lun Yeng said, adding that demand for fragrant Cambodian rice varieties has continued to rise among Chinese consumers.

The export growth also follows a significant agreement reached between Cambodia and China in 2025 to expand the export quota for Cambodian milled rice. Under the deal, China increased its annual import quota from 400,000 tonnes to 500,000 tonnes—a 25 percent rise aimed at supporting Cambodia’s agricultural production and trade capacity.

According to the CRF, the Kingdom exported more than 460,000 tonnes of milled rice in the first four months of 2026 to various markets across the world, up 66 percent from around 280,000 tonnes in the same period last year.

Cambodia earned about $266 million from milled rice exports during the January-April period this year, up 27 percent from $209 million over the same period last year.

Forty-eight companies had shipped the Kingdom’s milled rice to 60 countries and regions, another news release said, adding that ASEAN, China and the European Union were the major importers of Cambodian rice.

Agriculture remains one of Cambodia’s most important economic pillars, employing a large share of the country’s workforce. Rice, in particular, is among the Kingdom’s leading agricultural exports alongside cassava, rubber, bananas, and mangoes.

Industry experts say the strong performance in rice exports could help support rural incomes and strengthen Cambodia’s trade balance amid continued uncertainty in the global economy. The government has also been working to improve logistics, irrigation systems, and rice milling standards to increase competitiveness in international markets.

China has emerged as Cambodia’s largest trading partner in recent years, with bilateral trade expanding steadily across agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, and investment sectors. Analysts believe continued implementation of regional trade frameworks and closer economic cooperation will further boost Cambodia’s export potential in the years ahead.

khmertimeskh