Cambodia’s garment and textile exports rise 7.7% to $3.8 Billion in Q1 2026

Cambodia’s key manufacturing sectors saw a robust start to the year, with exports of garments, textiles, footwear, and travel goods rising 7.7 per cent year-on-year to reach $3.8 billion in the first quarter of 2026. Data released by the Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday indicates that apparel and textiles remained the dominant drivers, contributing $2.77 billion to the total—a 7.6 per cent increase over the January-March period.

The footwear sector recorded the strongest growth rate at 11.8 per cent, totalling $516 million, while exports of travel goods grew by 4.2 per cent to approximately $513 million. These figures underscore the industry’s critical role in the national economy; the sector currently accounts for 46 per cent of Cambodia's total export value and remains the kingdom's primary source of foreign exchange.

This sustained upward trend is largely attributed to Cambodia’s success in expanding its global footprint. Thong Mengdavid, deputy director at the Cambodia University of Technology and Science’s China-ASEAN Studies Centre, noted that the growth highlights effective market diversification beyond traditional trading partners. Speaking to Xinhua, he emphasized that Cambodia’s integration into the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and bilateral free trade agreements with China, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates have significantly streamlined supply chains and broadened market access.

As of 2025, the infrastructure supporting this growth includes more than 1,800 factories and branches nationwide. According to the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training, the sector employs roughly 1.1 million workers, the vast majority of whom are women, maintaining its status as a vital pillar of the country's social and economic framework.