Cambodia’s Top Import from Vietnam: Surpassing Rice and Agricultural Products, This Commodity Leads Vietnam’s Global Export Rankings

According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, in the first 8 months of 2025, Vietnam’s export turnover to Cambodia reached USD 3.7 billion, a 5.9% increase compared to the same period last year.

The textile and garment industry led the export turnover to Cambodia. In August 2025, the export turnover of this sector reached USD 79.5 million, an 8% decrease from the previous month. By the end of the first 8 months, the textile and garment export turnover to Cambodia reached USD 612.6 million, a 3.7% increase.

Following closely, steel exports in August 2025 reached USD 78 million, an 11.2% increase from the previous month. In the first 8 months, steel exports reached USD 586 million, a 19.3% increase, accounting for 15.6% of the total export turnover.

Other commodities with significant export growth in the first 8 months of 2025 include: steel products (up 30.6%), animal feed and raw materials (up 43.8%), fruits and vegetables (up 78.2%), and coffee (up 167.6%).

Export activities to the Cambodian market are being strengthened and expanded, as economic and trade cooperation is a key pillar in promoting the relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia. The two nations share a long-standing traditional friendship, with effective inter-ministerial cooperation mechanisms and complementary potential in the structure of exported and imported goods.

Aiming for sustainable growth in bilateral trade between Vietnam and Cambodia, Mr. Do Viet Phuong, Trade Counselor of the Vietnam Trade Office in Cambodia, emphasized the need to diversify products to establish Vietnamese brands in Cambodia.

Specifically, Vietnamese businesses exporting to Cambodia should focus on consumer goods and processed products across all segments: mass, mid-range, and high-end. Products for the construction sector, investment projects, raw materials, plastics, machinery, agricultural tools, vehicles, and handicrafts for tourism also present excellent opportunities in this market.

In terms of imports, besides rice, cashews, and rubber, Vietnam can import agricultural products, food, fruits, animal feed raw materials, and Khmer handicrafts with unique cultural characteristics.

Many experts also suggest that to gain the trust of Cambodian consumers, businesses should diversify their export products, focus on deeply processed goods with high added value, and align with the consumption preferences of Cambodian people.

To increase trade volume, both countries need to accelerate the improvement of logistics infrastructure and distribution networks in border areas. They should swiftly transition from informal to formal trade and continue to strengthen coordination to combat smuggling and trade fraud in border regions.