Cambodia’s Garment and Footwear Exports Surge Past $16 Billion in 2025

Cambodia’s Garment and Footwear Exports Surge Past $16 Billion in 2025

PHNOM PENH, Jan 22 — Cambodia exported more than $16 billion worth of garments, textiles, footwear and travel goods in 2025, marking an increase of over 16% from the previous year, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce.

The ministry’s annual trade report showed garment exports exceeding $11 billion, up 16.5% year-on-year, while footwear exports rose 24.5% to more than $2 billion. Exports of travel goods and bags generated over $2 billion, and textile exports climbed 35.9% to $678 million, reflecting strong demand across multiple product categories.

Lim Heng, vice president of the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce, said Cambodia’s continued access to preferential trade schemes such as EBA, GSP, and the RCEP agreement helped sustain export growth despite global economic uncertainty. He added that Cambodia remains competitive even under a 19% U.S. tariff rate, citing lower labor costs and diversified export markets beyond the United States.

Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, who also serves as first vice chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, said Phnom Penh is continuing negotiations with Washington to secure additional tariff reductions for labor-intensive sectors such as garments, footwear and travel goods, which employ large numbers of workers, particularly women.

He stressed that Cambodia is steadily reducing reliance on garment exports by expanding processed agriculture, light manufacturing and electronics, noting that the share of garments, footwear and travel goods in total exports has fallen sharply from 91% in 2000 to 37.89% in 2025, underscoring progress in economic diversification.