Diesel Imports Rise 12% as Cambodia Spends $188M on January Fuel Purchases

PHNOM PENH, Feb 23, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia spent more than $188 million on fuel imports in January to meet domestic demand, with diesel purchases rising sharply compared to the same period last year, official data showed Monday.

Figures from the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) revealed that diesel imports were valued at over $133 million, marking a 12.61 percent year-on-year increase. Gasoline imports, meanwhile, totaled $55.5 million, down 15.15 percent from January 2025.

Industry observers note that diesel consumption remains closely tied to transportation, logistics, construction and industrial activity — sectors often seen as indicators of economic momentum.

Lim Heng, vice president of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, said fuel consumption has traditionally been used as a gauge of domestic economic performance, as rising demand typically reflects stronger transport flows and service-sector activity. 

But he cautioned that fuel usage alone has become a less reliable measure of growth, as more factories and businesses shift from fuel to electricity for operations, particularly in transportation and industrial machinery.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, Cambodia spent more than $1.68 billion on fuel and diesel imports in 2025, representing a decline of about 11 percent compared to 2024.