Cambodia’s GFT Exports Rise Despite Tariff Pressures

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Nov. 17, 2025) — Cambodia exported more than $13.6 billion worth of Garment, Footwear and Travel Goods (GFT) in the first 10 months of 2025, marking a 20.29 percent increase compared with the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

From January to October, garment exports reached $9.62 billion, up 20.29 percent. Travel goods totaled $1.70 billion, rising 5.7 percent, while footwear exports climbed nearly 30 percent to $1.73 billion.

Kang Monika, deputy secretary-general of the Textile, Apparel, Footwear and Travel Goods Association in Cambodia (TAFTAC), said the sector remains resilient despite external pressures. He noted that recent announcements of retaliatory tariffs by the United States have not yet disrupted Cambodia’s garment industry.

Lim Heng, vice president of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, said rising investment registrations at the Council for the Development of Cambodia reflect strong production capacity and a robust economy.

Dr. Chey Tech, a socio-economic researcher, added that industrial exports such as garments, bicycles and electrical components continue to grow, supported by favorable tariff regimes in key markets. He pointed to zero-percent duties in the United Kingdom and the European Union as factors boosting competitiveness.

However, analysts warn that Cambodia’s reliance on preferential access leaves it vulnerable. The imposition of a 19 percent tariff by some trading partners in recent years has underscored the risks, raising concerns about long-term competitiveness if such measures expand. For now, officials say investment and export growth remain strong, with expectations of further increases in 2026.