Cambodia Says $636 Million Farm Imports Generated $9.7 Billion Output

Cambodia's Agriculture Ministry spokesman Khim Finan

PHNOM PENH, March 18, 2026 — Cambodia’s agricultural sector generated $9.77 billion in economic value in 2025, far exceeding the $636 million spent on imported fertilizers and pesticides, a government spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Agriculture Ministry spokesman Khim Finan said the figures demonstrate the strong economic return from agricultural inputs, following public concern over the scale of imports.

“The economic output generated from these agricultural inputs reached nearly $9.77 billion in 2025,” he said, adding that the inputs not only supported food security but also helped drive agricultural exports worth $5.63 billion.

The comments came after recent reports highlighting Cambodia’s spending on imported fertilizers and crop protection products, which prompted debate over the country’s reliance on foreign agricultural inputs.

Khim Finan said such imports are essential to ensure high crop yields and protect against pests and diseases, supplementing domestic production capacity.

Cambodia’s agriculture sector remains a key pillar of the economy, employing a large share of the workforce and contributing significantly to exports, particularly in rice, cassava, cashew nuts and other crops.

The government has been promoting modernization and productivity improvements in agriculture to boost output and strengthen competitiveness in international markets.