Cambodia-EU Trade Surges 8% to $3 Billion in H1 2026, Driven by Strong Exports

PHNOM PENH, July 22, 2026 (KPT) – Trade between Cambodia and the European Union rose 8 percent year‑on‑year to US$3 billion in the first six months of 2026, driven by resilient exports of garments, footwear and travel goods, official data showed Wednesday. The Ministry of Commerce said Cambodia exported US$2.6 billion worth of goods to the EU between January and June, up 8 percent from the same period last year. Imports from the 27‑member bloc increased 8.57 percent to US$407 million. Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain remained Cambodia’s largest EU export destinations, with garments, footwear and travel products accounting for the bulk of shipments. Penn Sovicheat, Secretary of State and ministry spokesperson, said the sustained growth demonstrates Cambodia’s ability to preserve access to major international markets and strengthen its role in global supply chains. “The continued increase in Cambodia’s trade volume reflects the country’s ability to maintain key export markets, ensuring reliable supply and preserving buyers’ confidence in Cambodian products,” he said. The strong performance comes as manufacturing is expected to remain a key growth engine in 2026. Industrial output is projected to expand 7.3 percent, supported by robust garment orders and growth in non‑garment sectors including electrical components, tires and furniture. The ministry said total Cambodia–EU trade reached US$5.87 billion in 2025, up 10.2 percent from the previous year. Exports rose 13.55 percent to US$5 billion, while imports fell 5.88 percent to US$863 million, leaving Cambodia with a substantial trade surplus.