Cambodia–Malaysia Trade Nears $1 Billion as Border Tensions Shift Supply Chains

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Dec. 16, 2025) — Bilateral trade between Cambodia and Malaysia surged to nearly $1 billion in the first 11 months of 2025, reflecting Cambodia’s growing reliance on alternative supply chains amid the closure of its border with Thailand.

Data from the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia show total trade reached $988 million from January to October, a 27.3 percent increase from the same period last year.

Cambodia exported about $130 million worth of goods to Malaysia, while imports from Malaysia rose sharply to more than $858 million, up 32.3 percent year‑on‑year.

Economists say the surge highlights a strategic redirection of imports away from Thailand, as border closures and public boycotts of Thai goods push Cambodian businesses to seek alternative suppliers within ASEAN.

Socio‑economic researcher Dr. Chey Tech noted Cambodia has diversified sourcing toward Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and China, helping stabilize supply chains during heightened regional tensions.

Malaysia is now Cambodia’s 10th‑largest trading partner, following China, the United States, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, Singapore, Canada, Spain and Germany.

In 2024, Cambodia–Malaysia trade totaled $865.5 million, up 36.9 percent from 2023, signaling a sustained upward trend analysts say could accelerate if border disruptions with Thailand persist.