Garment workers at a factory in Phnom Penh. Most of the raw materials used in the garment sector are imported from China.

More than 50 percent of Cambodia’s imported goods now Chinese

(The Phnom Penh Post/ANN) -- China is increasingly playing a crucial role as a major supplier to Cambodia. In 2025, the value of Chinese imports exceeded US$18 billion, an increase of more than 30 percent compared to 2024. Imports from China accounted for over 50 percent of Cambodia’s total import expenditure.
According to the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE), in 2025, Cambodia spent a total of US$33.88 billion on imports, up 18.7 percent from the US$28.54 billion recorded in 2024. Chinese imports were valued at US$18.04 billion, up 34.3 percent. They accounted for 53.25 percent of Cambodia’s total import value.
At the same time, Cambodia exported US$1.69 billion worth of goods to China, a decline of 3.6percent compared to the US$1.75 billion of 2024. Total bilateral trade between Cambodia and China in 2025 amounted to US$19.73 billion, up 29.9percent from US$15.19 billion in 2024, according to the GDCE.
Cambodia recorded a trade deficit of approximately US$16.36 billion in 2025, up from US$11.69 billion in 2024 and US$9.31 billion in 2023.
Lor Vichet, vice-president of the Cambodia Chinese Commerce Association (CCCA), told The Post on January 13 that strong diplomatic relations have led to a steady increase in trade between Cambodia and China.
He noted that China has become a key source of raw materials for factories and enterprises in Cambodia. In addition to raw materials, Cambodia has imported many new automated machines from China to install in factories, helping improve production efficiency, increase output and enhance product quality. Chinese machinery plays a significant role in boosting Cambodia’s manufacturing capacity.
He added that beyond trade in goods, Chinese investors are also the leading source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Cambodia.
“Imports from China will continue to rise in the future because as more Chinese investors come to do business in Cambodia, imports of raw materials or components from China will also increase,” he explained.
According to Vichet, most Cambodian exports to China consist of agricultural products, furniture, jewellery and textile products. Imports from China include raw materials for factories and enterprises, daily consumer goods, food and beverages, vehicles, machinery, construction materials, electrical and electronic equipment, pharmaceuticals and agricultural fertilisers, among others.
Vichet urged the Cambodian government and private sector to further develop the country’s high-potential sectors — especially agriculture — to strengthen export capacity to the Chinese market. Infrastructure development is also essential.
“The Cambodian government’s efforts to build new infrastructure will serve as a magnet to attract foreign investors, especially Chinese, to invest more in Cambodia,” he said.
A January 5 press release from the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) noted that in 2025, a total of 630 investment projects with a combined capital of approximately US$10 billion were approved by the CDC. Chinese investment ranked first, accounting for 54.25percent of total investment capital in 2025, followed by investors from Cambodia, Singapore and Vietnam.

(Latest Update January 15, 2026)