Thai imports to Cambodia plunge nearly 50% as trade shifts to sea routes

PHNOM PENH, Feb 10, 2026 (KPT) – Imports from Thailand into Cambodia fell by almost half in January as bilateral trade patterns adjusted following last year’s land border closures, official data showed Tuesday.

Figures from the General Department of Customs and Excise reported Cambodia–Thailand trade at US$209 million in January, down 43.5 percent year on year. Cambodian exports to Thailand reached US$58 million, a decline of 19.6 percent, while imports from Thailand dropped sharply to US$151 million, representing a 49.3 percent fall.

Commerce Ministry spokesperson Pen Sovicheat said the contraction reflected the closure of land border crossings in 2025. He noted that aside from restricted goods such as vegetables, fruits, electricity, fuel and gas, trade continues through normal channels, with Thai shipments increasingly rerouted via sea transport.

Officials emphasized that while bilateral trade with Thailand has weakened, Cambodia’s broader international trade performance remains resilient. The country recorded 18 percent overall trade growth in 2025, supported by stable access to key markets and robust supply chains.

According to the ministry, Cambodia–Thailand bilateral trade totaled US$3.65 billion in 2025, down 14.9 percent from the previous year. Cambodia exported US$732 million worth of goods to Thailand, while Thai exports to Cambodia reached US$2.9 billion.

The sharp January decline underscores the impact of border restrictions on bilateral commerce, even as Cambodia’s wider trade outlook remains buoyant heading into 2026.