After Major Gains, Agri Sector Sets Ambitious Path for 2026
Building on a landmark year that saw agricultural exports surge to $5 billion, Cambodia’s 2026 roadmap prioritizes a strategic shift from subsistence farming to large-scale commercial operations and high-value agro-processing.
Author: Sreekanth Ravindran
Date: 1 January 2026
Source: Khmer Times
Synopsis: The Royal Government is expected to intensify efforts to expand value-added processing in 2026, building on the interest generated during CAFE25. The government aims to attract new investment in rice milling, cashew and cassava processing, fruit drying, packaging facilities and cold-chain logistics.
The Kingdom’s agriculture sector is closing 2025 on a high note, achieving strong export performance, expanding modernisation programmes, and accelerating climate-smart initiatives that signal a turning point in the country’s rural development strategy.
Various government ministries, development partners, and the private sector have jointly described 2025 as a “transformative year” that laid the foundation for a more resilient and competitive agricultural economy.
Rising exports
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) reported that Cambodia exported nearly $4 billion worth of agricultural products between January and October 2025, marking one of the sector’s strongest years on record. Export volumes also rose significantly, with over five million tonnes of non-rice crops, another 5.2 million tonnes of paddy, and nearly 600,000 tonnes of milled rice shipped to global markets.
Officials say the increasing share of non-rice exports such as cashew, cassava, rubber, pepper, vegetables and fruits highlights a growing diversification that reduces reliance on a single crop and enhances market stability. Agriculture continues to account for about 16–17 percent of the Kingdom’s GDP, underscoring its continued importance to rural livelihoods and national economic growth.
Agri census
A major highlight of 2025 was the launch of the Cambodia Agriculture Census 2023, the country’s first full agricultural census in more than a decade. Covering all 25 provinces and documenting nearly two million agricultural holdings, the census provides the most comprehensive dataset to date on land use, crop production, livestock, irrigation and farming practices.
Royal Government officials say that reliable data will play a critical role in shaping future policies, investment decisions and climate-resilience strategies. “Good data is the backbone of smart planning,” a senior Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) official noted during the census launch. International partners, including the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), described the census as a milestone that will significantly enhance Cambodia’s ability to manage future risks and opportunities.
Support for smallholders
The current year also saw notable progress under programmes such as ASPIRE-AT, which provides capacity-building, access to productive assets, and market linkages for smallholder farmers and agricultural cooperatives. Thousands of households benefited from training in modern farming techniques, while producer groups received improved seed varieties that helped raise yields and supply certified seed to markets.
Investments from international development institutions, including nearly €80 million ($93.2 million) in support from the European Investment Bank and IFAD, helped improve rural infrastructure, upgrade sanitary and phytosanitary systems, and expand storage and post-harvest facilities—key steps toward enabling farmers to meet export standards and access new markets.
A major policy push in 2025 involved advancing a national climate-smart agriculture investment plan, focusing on low-emission rice production, sustainable aquaculture, resilient livestock systems, and landscape restoration. The government and partners stressed the urgency of addressing climate risks, with officials noting that sustainable farming practices are now seen as essential rather than optional.
The launch of the Cambodia Agriculture Forum & Exhibition 2025 (CAFE25) brought together policymakers, investors, and agribusiness leaders to chart a pathway for agro-industrial growth. The event underscored a shared ambition to shift Cambodia from exporting raw crops to producing higher-value processed goods. Government agencies called for stronger private-sector participation to accelerate processing, packaging and downstream value-chain development.
Ambitious plans
As Cambodia moves into 2026, the agriculture sector stands at a critical juncture. The achievements of 2025 have created momentum, but sustaining and expanding progress will require tackling a complex set of challenges—ranging from climate risks to market competition and infrastructure gaps.
The government plans to scale up modern agricultural communities nationwide, focusing on improved infrastructure, irrigation, mechanisation, and digital tools that can boost productivity. These communities aim to link farmers more directly with markets, reduce middlemen dependence, and encourage quality-driven production.
MAFF officials say 2026 will prioritise strengthening producer organisations and cooperatives, ensuring they have the capacity to store, process and add value to agricultural goods. This shift toward community-based enterprises is seen as a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s long-term rural development strategy.
The climate-smart agriculture plan introduced in 2025 will move into its implementation phase in 2026. Priorities include: expanding low-emission rice cultivation practices, introducing drought-resistant and flood-tolerant crop varieties, enhancing water-management systems and small-scale irrigation and promoting sustainable aquaculture and livestock practices.
Climate adaptation will be essential for managing increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. However, rolling out new technologies and practices across millions of smallholders remains a major hurdle. Agricultural extension services will require stronger resources and coordination to ensure widespread adoption.
The Kingdom is expected to intensify efforts to expand value-added processing in 2026, building on the interest generated during CAFE25. The government aims to attract new investment in rice milling, cashew and cassava processing, fruit drying, packaging facilities and cold-chain logistics.
Meeting international sanitary and quality standards will be another priority. Improving laboratories, inspection services and certification systems will allow Cambodian products to access higher-value markets, including the EU, China and the Middle East.
Despite promising plans, several obstacles threaten progress, and they include climate vulnerability, limited irrigation coverage, insufficient processing capacity, financing and inclusion gaps, along with skills and technology limitations.
Cambodia remains heavily dependent on rain-fed agriculture. Droughts, floods and irregular rainfall continue to pose severe risks. A relatively small share of farmland is irrigated, restricting dry-season production and leaving farmers vulnerable to climate shocks.
Much of Cambodia’s produce is still exported raw. Without significant investment in processing, the country risks missing out on higher-value markets. Many smallholder farmers — especially women, youth and remote communities — still face barriers in accessing credit, training and modern inputs.
The transition to a modern agribusiness economy will require large-scale training, digital literacy and mechanisation.
Speaking to Khmer Times, an expatriate investor in the Kingdom’s agricultural sector said 2026 could be a pivotal year that determines whether Cambodia can leverage its agricultural strengths to build a fully modern, climate-resilient, and value-added rural economy. If investments continue and reforms advance, the country could see higher rural incomes, stronger food security and expanded export opportunities.
However, without adequate attention to climate resilience, infrastructure, and equitable access, progress may be uneven and vulnerable to external shocks.
