Bilateral trade in goods between Vietnam and Cambodia has seen continuous expansion over the years, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

In the 2014-2024 period, two-way trade turnover more than tripled, soaring from $3.3 billion to $10.1 billion, with an average annual growth rate of nearly 12%.

The momentum has continued into 2025. In the first seven months of the year, two-way trade reached over $7 billion, up 16.3% compared to the same period in 2024. Of this, Vietnam's exports to Cambodia reached $3.2 billion (a 5.1% increase), while imports hit $3.8 billion (a 28.1% increase).

According to Mr. Do Viet Phuong, Commercial Counselor of the Vietnam Trade Office in Cambodia, several product categories hold significant export potential for the Cambodian market at this time. These include products such as meat, fish, eggs, milk, food products, spices, and fresh fruits and vegetables are in high demand.

The Cambodian government's policy is to expand its agricultural development beyond the provinces surrounding Phnom Penh to its border regions. A key initiative is a program to attract investment to four northeastern Cambodian provinces. For heavy fertilizer products, Vietnamese businesses have a strong competitive advantage due to their geographical proximity, which reduces transportation costs.

Construction materials (which Cambodia does not produce), agricultural machinery and tools to support farming, and pesticides also represent strong export opportunities.

Mr. Phuong advised that to succeed, Vietnamese businesses must focus on introducing high-quality, branded products to the market in order to change the perception of Vietnamese goods among Cambodian consumers.

Furthermore, he recommended a strategic shift for companies that have been operating in the Cambodian market for five to seven years.

"They should consider promoting direct investment, not just exports," he suggested, "especially in the regions the Cambodian government is actively targeting for investment."

He emphasized that this investment would, in turn, support trade activities, helping the two nations achieve their ambitious bilateral trade target of $20 billion.