Cambodian Trade Experiences a 14.5% Decline Compared to Last Year Despite Minor Gains in Exports
The International Trade Council reports that Cambodia's total trade volume for the first eight months of 2023 stands at nearly $32 billion, showing a 14.5% drop compared to the same timeframe last year. This decline comes despite a modest year-on-year increase in exports.
Data released by Cambodia's General Department of Customs and Excise, operating under the Ministry of Economy and Finance, indicates that the country exported products worth almost $15.7 billion to international markets. This represents a slight year-on-year uptick of 0.32%. Conversely, the country's imports fell sharply by 25.2% to nearly $16.3 billion.
During this period, Cambodia's primary trading partners included nations such as China, the United States, Vietnam, Japan, Germany, and Canada. The export portfolio mainly consisted of garments, footwear, travel goods, bicycles, rice, electrical equipment, rubber, furniture, along with fruits and vegetables.
On the import front, Cambodia primarily sourced raw materials, construction materials, automobiles, pharmaceutical products, electronics, electrical equipment, fertilizers, and pesticides.
In terms of historical context, Cambodia's international trade volume for the year 2022 was over $52.4 billion, marking a 9.2% increase from the previous year. The current year's downturn in trade activities, therefore, presents a contrast to last year's upward trend.
The mixed signals from Cambodia's trade data emphasize the complex dynamics of international commerce, with shifts in both exports and imports affecting the country's overall trade health. These fluctuations warrant close observation by policymakers and trade analysts to understand their long-term implications for Cambodia's economic well-being.
