Trade between France and Cambodia is slowing down

IN BRIEF Total volume : 357 million euros (-3.4% over one year). Deficit : around 300 million euros despite a slight reduction. Imports : €329 million (-4.1%), dominated by the textile and the shoe. Exports : €28.3 million (+6%), drawn by the pharmaceuticals, agri-food And perfumery (~80%). Aeronautical effect : two ATR 72-600 sold and then leased through a company Singapore — the operation is counted as an export to Singapore and results in a underestimation real exchanges with the Cambodia. Tendency : slow-down Franco-Cambodian trade, despite some sectoral increases and a little statistical sleight of hand.

Trade relations between the France and the Cambodia score a net slow-down : in the first quarter of 2026, bilateral flows are around 357 million euros, down by approximately 3.4% over a year, always leaving a trade deficit close to 300 million euros. THE imports French from Cambodia, dominated by the textile and the shoedecrease while the exports hexagonal ones climb by about 6%, carried by the pharmacy, L’agri-food and the perfumeryAdded to this is a statistical fluke that came from the sky: the sale of two ATR 72-600 intended for Cambodia Airways, purchased through a company leasing has Singapore, is counted as an export to Singapore, thus masking part of the actual trade with Cambodia.

In summary In the first quarter of 2026, trade between France and Cambodia experienced a slight decline: 357 million euros traded, a decrease of approximately 3.4% over a year, according to the figures from the DGDDIWhile French exports are increasing (+6%), the trade deficit remains significant, and an aircraft leasing arrangement complicates the interpretation of bilateral statistics.

Key figures for the first quarter of 2026

The latest figures from the Directorate General of Customs and Indirect Taxes indicate a total of 357 million euros of trade between France and Cambodia during the first three months of 2026. This amount represents a contraction of 3.4% over a year. The balance remains largely in deficit for France, around 300 million euros, even though this deficit has decreased slightly.

For a more detailed official overview of the economic context and bilateral relations, please visit the page of French treasure on Cambodia and its dedicated section on trade offers complete and up-to-date data: Franco-Cambodian trade.

Imports dominated by textiles and footwear

THE French imports people from Cambodia settle in approximately 329 million euros, down by nearly 4.1%The engine remains the torque textile-footwear, which concentrates the bulk of the flows and continues to feed the import bill.

The importance of textiles is not surprising: the clothing industry remains one of Cambodia’s main export assets to Europe. To stay up-to-date on broader news in the region and textile markets, you can also consult comparative analyses on Southeast Asia, for example via tourism and economic trends in Thailand or other regional issues.

French exports are on the rise

Good news on the export front: France has increased its sales to Cambodia by nearly 6%at a rate of approximately 28.3 million eurosThis growth is primarily based on a few product families: pharmaceuticals, agri-food And perfumery, which alone represent nearly 80% French exports to the Kingdom.

Newspaper articles like the one from Cambodia Mag and of Little Journal They detail these movements and provide useful insights for economic players interested in the Cambodian market.

The leasing effect: when an airplane changes the interpretation of statistics

The figures get a boost… a bit misleading. The sale of two ATR 72-600 destined for Cambodia Airways boosted export figures. Except that these planes were sold to a company of leasing based in Singaporewhich then leases them to the Cambodian company. In foreign trade accounting, the transaction is therefore recorded as an export to Singapore, and not directly to Cambodia.

As a result, actual trade between France and Cambodia is underestimated in official statistics. This type of financial arrangement highlights the need to analyze beyond the raw figures to understand the actual trade flows.

A regional context that deserves close attention.

The Franco-Cambodian slowdown is part of a broader and sometimes turbulent regional landscape. Alongside supply chain adjustments, there are political and market shifts: the online trading platform in Vietnam is experiencing upheaval (see this example), Thailand still shows signs of resilience despite some shocks (solid growth), and the United States is increasing its trade investigations into the region (American affair).

These external dynamics influence demand, prices, and trade routes. Furthermore, societal and security issues—sometimes dramatic—continue to affect certain economic segments, as evidenced by media coverage of local trafficking and problems (worrying examples).

Institutional information and resources for further exploration

For an institutional and official reading, the website of Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs offers country profiles and elements of the political and economic context. The French Treasury, for its part, offers statistical data and analyses on Cambodia (country profile) as well as on bilateral trade (business file).

For more journalistic angles and in-depth reports, articles from the specialized and regional press, such as those published by Southeast Asiaoften provide insights into short-term trends and risks for companies wishing to establish themselves or trade in the region.

FAQ — What you need to know about the slowdown in France-Cambodia trade