Cambodia’s fashion and travel exports hit $1.4bn

Cambodia’s manufacturing sector has kicked off 2026 with a sharp rise in exports, underscoring its role as a cornerstone of the national economy. Official figures released this week show that garments, footwear and travel goods together brought in nearly $1.4 billion in January – a 7.2% increase compared with the same month last year.

Garments remain the dominant force, accounting for around $1 billion in shipments, up 6.7% year-on-year. Footwear exports surged even more dramatically, climbing 16.8% to $196.6 million. Travel goods and bags contributed $188 million, a modest but steady 1% rise.

Analysts say the growth reflects Cambodia’s success in diversifying its markets beyond traditional partners. Thong Mengdavid of the China-ASEAN Studies Centre noted that resilient demand and fresh investment inflows from China, South Korea and Japan are expected to sustain momentum throughout 2026.

The sector is not only vital for foreign exchange – representing 46.5% of Cambodia’s total export value – but also for employment. More than 1,500 factories and branches are currently in operation, supporting over 900,000 workers, most of them women, according to the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training.

For Cambodia, these figures highlight both opportunity and challenge. The industry’s strength offers stability at a time of global uncertainty, yet it also underscores the country’s reliance on a single sector. As demand continues to surge, policymakers face the task of ensuring that growth translates into long-term resilience, fair labour conditions and sustainable development.

The upbeat start to 2026 suggests that Cambodia’s garment and footwear industry will remain a powerful driver of the economy – and a sector to watch as global demand continues to shift eastward.

-2026-02-20