China Remains Cambodia’s Top Trade Partner as Manufacturing Demand Drives Imports

PHNOM PENH, May 12, 2026 (KPT) — China remained Cambodia’s largest trading partner in the first four months of 2026 as rising manufacturing activity drove strong demand for imported industrial materials and machinery, official data showed Tuesday.

The General Department of Customs and Excise said bilateral trade between Cambodia and China reached more than $7 billion from January to April, up 26 percent from the same period last year. Cambodia’s exports to China totaled $583 million, an increase of 21.8 percent year‑on‑year, while imports surged 26.4 percent to $6.58 billion. The imbalance left Cambodia with a trade deficit of around $6 billion.

Lim Heng, vice president of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, said the growth reflected Cambodia’s increasing reliance on imported raw materials to sustain domestic manufacturing and exports. “Cambodia still needs raw materials from China and other countries for processing and manufacturing before exporting products to the European Union and the United States,” he said.

Cambodia’s major exports to China include agricultural products, furniture, jewelry and textiles, while imports consist mainly of industrial raw materials, machinery, consumer goods, vehicles, construction materials and electronics.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, bilateral trade between Cambodia and China reached $19.73 billion in 2025, with imports accounting for $18 billion. The Asian Development Bank has forecast Cambodia’s manufacturing sector will remain a key driver of growth in 2026, with industrial output expected to rise 7.3 percent, supported by garment demand and expansion in non‑textile sectors such as electrical components, tires and furniture.