Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Cambodia’s rice export sector has demonstrated a robust performance in the initial two months of 2026, generating a substantial 142.87 million USD in revenue. A significant shift in global market dynamics has positioned ASEAN nations as the primary destination for Cambodian rice, now surpassing traditional markets like Europe and China. This detailed overview comes from a comprehensive report released by the Cambodian Rice Federation (CRF) on March 5th.
According to the CRF’s report, Cambodia successfully exported a total of 247,822 tonnes of rice to 51 different international markets during this period. Fragrant rice emerged as the most sought-after variety, accounting for nearly 60% of all exports. Alongside fragrant rice, other varieties such as long grain rice, various types of broken rice, steamed rice, and organic rice also contributed significantly to the overall export volume.
The data highlights ASEAN’s remarkable ascendance to become Cambodia’s leading rice market. The region collectively ordered approximately 112,142 tonnes of rice, translating to an impressive value of 41.89 million USD. This makes ASEAN the undisputed top importer in terms of sheer volume.
Europe, traditionally a strong market for Cambodian rice, now holds the second position. European countries imported 64,134 tonnes of Cambodian rice, with a total value of 46.22 million USD. While Europe’s import volume is less than ASEAN’s, it commands a higher per-tonne value, indicating a market preference for premium varieties or specific niche products.
China, including its autonomous regions, secured the third spot among Cambodia’s major rice export destinations. Chinese buyers procured 51,384 tonnes of rice, valued at 36.31 million USD, further solidifying its importance in the Cambodian rice trade.
Beyond these top three markets, 16 other countries, primarily located in Africa and the Middle East, collectively purchased 20,162 tonnes of Cambodian rice, contributing approximately 18.45 million USD to the total export earnings.
In addition to milled rice, Cambodia also engaged in the export of significant quantities of wet rice during these two months. Neighboring countries imported 873,880 tonnes of wet rice, generating an estimated revenue of 196.62 million Cambodian dollars. This emphasizes the broader agricultural trade relationships Cambodia maintains within its immediate region, contributing to the nation’s overall economic landscape.
