Cambodia Opens New Export Corridor to China Through Laos, Cutting Agricultural Shipping Time by Half

PHNOM PENH, June 23, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia has officially launched a new agricultural export corridor through Laos to China, a move expected to halve transportation times and expand market opportunities for Cambodian farmers and agribusinesses, officials said Monday.

The new transit route was inaugurated on June 22 in the presence of the agriculture ministers of Cambodia and Laos, along with representatives from 30 Cambodian companies. The milestone follows months of negotiations and close cooperation between the two governments to streamline procedures and establish a faster gateway for Cambodian produce bound for China.

Under the arrangement, six Cambodian agricultural products are eligible for transit: bananas, mangoes, rice, Pailin longan, cassava starch and durian.

Khim Finan, spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said the first shipment—four containers of durian—marked the official opening of the corridor. “Previously, transportation typically took between 15 and 20 days. With the new route, the delivery time can be reduced to just one week,” he said.

Officials described the development as a positive signal for farmers and agribusinesses, noting that faster transit will improve competitiveness in the Chinese market, lower logistics costs and help producers tap into rising international demand.

The corridor is also expected to strengthen regional trade connectivity, enhance Cambodia’s role in cross-border supply chains, and provide greater access to one of the world’s largest consumer markets.