Cassava Exports Rise 16% in Q1 as Processing Shift Boosts Value

PHNOM PENH, April 27, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia’s cassava exports rose more than 16 percent in the first quarter of 2026, reflecting a growing shift toward higher value processing and improved product quality aligned with global demand, official data showed Monday.

The Ministry of Commerce said export revenues reached over US$376 million between January and March, marking a 16.26 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Industry representatives said the growth was driven by rising global demand and a transition from raw cassava to processed products such as dried cassava, which commands significantly higher prices. El Chheng, president of the Cambodian Cassava Farmers Association, noted that dried cassava prices have exceeded 600 riel per kilogram, encouraging farmers to adjust production strategies.

Vietnam and China remain key export markets, alongside domestic consumption, supporting steady demand for Cambodian cassava.

In 2025, Cambodia earned US$646 million from cassava exports, a 14.48 percent decline from 2024. Fresh cassava exports fell nearly 10 percent to 3.1 million tons, while dried cassava exports surged more than 62 percent to 1.56 million tons.