Cambodia-EU Trade Nears $4 Billion in Eight Months, Driven by Export Growth

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Sept.18, 2025) — Bilateral trade between Cambodia and the European Union reached $3.92 billion in the first eight months of 2025, up more than 10% compared to the same period last year, despite global trade tensions and geopolitical competition.

According to the General Department of Customs and Excise, Cambodia’s exports to the EU totaled over $3.36 billion, marking a 16% increase year-on-year. Imports from the bloc rose modestly to $561 million, up 2.55%.

Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands remained Cambodia’s top EU trading partners, with bilateral volumes of $788 million, $744 million, and $673 million, respectively.

Commerce Ministry Secretary of State Penn Sovicheat said the figures underscore the EU’s importance as a key export destination, though current trade levels have yet to match pre-pandemic highs.

“The quality of Cambodian products has improved significantly in recent years, meeting international standards and gaining consumer trust in Europe,” Sovicheat said. “Even though the EU’s economic recovery hasn’t fully returned to pre-COVID levels, our exports — especially garments, footwear and agricultural goods — continue to grow.”

On August 20, 2025, Cambodia, the EU, and Germany convened the second steering committee meeting under the GATE initiative to review progress on trade reforms. Key areas included export promotion for cashews and pepper, digital trade negotiations, consumer protection enforcement, and SME competitiveness. The project supports Cambodia’s transition from Least Developed Country status and will run through March 2028.

In 2020, the EU withdrew about 20% of Cambodia’s preferential EBA tariff access, affecting key exports. Still, bilateral trade in 2024 reached $5.32 billion, up 15% from 2023, with Cambodian exports rising over 20%.