Cambodia’s rice export market has recorded remarkable growth. In the first 11 months of 2025, milled rice exports surpassed 800,000 tonnes and generated over $526 million in revenue. When combined with earnings from paddy rice exports, Cambodia’s rice sector earned more than $1.9 billion during this period.

Industry insiders are optimistic that the long-standing national goal of exporting one million tonnes of rice in a year, set more than a decade ago by former Prime Minister Hun Sen, could be achieved either this year or the next.

The Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) reported that from January to November 2025, Cambodia exported 801,643 tonnes of rice, generating $526.47 million. During the same period in 2024, exports totalled just 575,562 tonnes, with total revenue of $413.9 million. The Kingdom exported rice to 72 countries and territories, through 65 exporting companies.

The main export destinations were Europe (26 countries): 307,630 tonnes, worth $236.54 million, China and its autonomous regions: 188,189 tonnes, worth $116.53 million, ASEAN (8 countries): 218,313 tonnes, worth $93.5 million, and 34 other countries, with 87,511 tonnes, worth $79.9 million.

Fragrant rice made up the largest sector, at 65.15%, white rice was 14.79%, parboiled rice, 2.07%, organic rice 1.46%, broken rice 16.07% and others, 0.46%.

In the same period, Cambodia exported 6,097,013 tonnes of paddy rice, generating $1.408 billion. During the same period the previous year, the totals were $6,642,511 tons and $1.37873 billion.

CRF president Lay Chhun Hour told The Post on December 11 that the 800,000 tonne total marks the largest rice-export volume in Cambodia’s history. From 2008 to 2024, Cambodia’s annual milled rice exports ranged from more than 300,000 to 600,000 tonnes, and in the last 7–8 years, exports stayed between 600,000–650,000 tonnes.

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By: Hin Pisei

Publication date: 15 December 2025

Source: The Phnom Penh Post