Cambodia Expands Rice Exports to Philippines via New Shipping Route

On the morning of September 16, 2026, at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, a significant ceremony was held to launch the "10,000-ton rice shipment via bulk carrier" between City Rice Company and Dilai Trading, for direct export from the Kingdom of Cambodia to the Republic of the Philippines. His Excellency Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, presided over the event. This ceremony marks a new beginning for Cambodia's rice sector, as the transportation via bulk carrier will further enhance the country's waterborne rice export capacity, in addition to existing containerized shipments. This method is expected to increase efficiency, boost the competitiveness of Cambodian rice in international markets, reduce transportation costs and time, and ensure a stable supply of high-quality rice to the Philippine market. The export of Cambodian rice via bulk carrier was achieved through the high-level guidance of His Excellency Dr. Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, on the utilization of the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port. This success is a result of close cooperation and coordination from the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port. During the first eight months of 2026, Cambodia exported 122,102 tons of rice to the Philippines, accounting for over 15.4% of the total rice export volume of 792,212 tons. According to the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF), an additional 87,344 tons of rice already contracted for purchase from September to December this year are expected to be shipped, bringing the total export volume to the Philippines in 2026 to approximately 209,446 tons. This represents a substantial increase compared to previous years and is a major factor contributing to the projection of exceeding 1 million tons in exports for 2026, which would break the previous record of 940,321 tons exported in 2025. This achievement is the result of the concerted efforts between the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Government of the Philippines, as well as the private sectors of both countries, in opening new markets in the Philippines and connecting private sectors to provide mutual benefits. Cambodia gains new markets, while the Philippines secures a new source of rice to help ensure food security. The close cooperation between His Excellency the Minister of Agriculture of Cambodia and His Excellency the Minister of Agriculture of the Philippines, Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., along with relevant government institutions and the private sector, particularly the facilitation of B2B (Business-to-Business) matching platforms, has significantly contributed to these tangible results. Government-to-government cooperation, coupled with the private sector, is a crucial driving force behind the successful opening of this large rice export market and will significantly contribute to breaking export records consecutively in the future.