Cambodia’s agriculture sector contributes 16% to GDP, ensures food security

PHNOM PENH, Mar 19, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia’s agriculture sector contributed 16 percent to gross domestic product in 2025 while continuing to safeguard national food security, officials said Thursday.

Agriculture Minister Dith Tina, speaking at the ministry’s annual review, noted that although the sector’s share of the economy has declined compared to previous decades, it remains vital in guaranteeing food supply at affordable prices.

“In the past, agriculture accounted for a larger share of the economy, but food was not always sufficient and prices were high. Today, even at 16 percent, we ensure people have enough to eat at reasonable cost,” he said.

Tina stressed that the government’s agricultural strategy is focused not on making the sector the dominant economic driver, but on maintaining food security, reducing import reliance, and improving farmers’ livelihoods through productivity and market-oriented production.

Agriculture remains one of four pillars of Cambodia’s economy, alongside garment exports, tourism, and construction. The government has shifted from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture, emphasizing value-added production to boost incomes and competitiveness.

The ministry reported agricultural export revenue of $6.46 billion in 2025, up 7.3 percent from the previous year. Key exports included rice, rubber, cassava, cashew nuts, mangoes, pepper, bananas and durian.