Cambodia exported nearly 3.6 million tonnes of paddy and milled rice in the first half of 2025, generating over $1 billion in revenue, an increase of nearly 7% compared to the same period in 2024. Currently, 50 exporters are actively exporting Cambodian milled rice.
According to the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF), from January to June 2025, Cambodia exported 387,070 tonnes of milled rice to 63 destinations, earning $283.41 million. In the first half of 2024, Cambodia exported 338,654 tonnes, worth $247.6 million.
The CRF reported that the main export destinations in the first half of 2025 were: Europe (26 countries) 182,885 tonnes ($143.64 million), China and its autonomous regions 102,509 tonnes ($60.25 million), ASEAN members (7 countries) 52,890 tonnes ($37.09 million), and other markets (32 countries) 48,785 tonnes ($42.42 million).
Fragrant rice made up 75%, white rice 19.68%, parboiled rice 2.49%, organic rice 2.13% and others 0.7%.
Cambodia also exported 3,176,561 tonnes of paddy rice in the same period, earning $757.49 million, compared to 2,528,011 tonnes and $727.36 million in the same period of 2024.
At the June 16 celebrations of the 10th anniversary of the CRF, Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul explained that through the joint efforts of the CRF, development partners and stakeholders, Cambodia has transformed into a country with a significant rice surplus. Notably, at the beginning of the 7th legislative mandate, the commerce ministry facilitated the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to export 500,000 tonnes of rice to China, opened export markets to Indonesia via the Green Trade Company for 37,500 tonnes and arranged the export of 4,000 tonnes to Timor-Leste.
In 2024, Cambodia exported more than 650,000 tons of rice to 75 countries.
“Rice is Cambodia’s strategic crop for food and nutrition security. It is not only a basic staple food but also a high-potential export commodity among the prioritised agricultural products for export promotion,” said the minister.
“Through Green Trade, the commerce ministry has actively negotiated with several countries in the region to further expand export markets for Cambodian rice,” she added.
Cambodian rice is internationally recognized for its superior quality, having won the title of “World’s Best Rice” six times, in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2022, and most recently in 2024.
In 2024, Cambodia earned a total of $1.987 billion from rice exports, of which $1.496 billion came from paddy rice and $419.19 million from milled rice.
