Cambodia construction imports surge 40%

Kiripost

Cambodia’s construction sector is showing early signs of recovery, with government figures revealing a sharp rise in building material imports at the start of the year.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, imports of construction materials reached $248 million in January 2026, up 40 percent from $177 million in the same month last year. The increase comes after months of disruption linked to border tensions with Thailand.

APS Cambodia reported that by the end of 2025, Phnom Penh alone had more than 370 active construction projects, though many remain incomplete or on hold. Research manager Chea Kimsea noted that the surge in imports may partly reflect delayed shipments and inventory restocking rather than a sudden boom in demand. Residential launches, he added, remain steady in the affordable and mid‑range segments.

Industrial activity is also picking up, with interest in factory and logistics development. However, analysts caution that one month’s figures are not enough to confirm a lasting recovery. “Further observation over the coming quarters will be necessary to determine whether this marks a durable recovery,” Kimsea said.

Socio‑economic analyst Chey Tech pointed to Cambodia’s 10‑year transport and logistics master plan, which requires $36.5 billion in investment. He argued that rising demand for construction materials reflects broader infrastructure and industrial development, with projects ranging from commercial buildings to hotels.

In 2025, the Council for the Development of Cambodia approved 630 investment projects worth nearly $10 billion, expected to generate more than 438,000 jobs. The industry sector attracted the largest share, with $5.6 billion, followed by infrastructure, agriculture and tourism.

While the January figures are encouraging, experts agree that sustained growth will depend on continued investment and stability in regional trade. For now, the rise in imports offers a hopeful signal that Cambodia’s construction industry may be regaining momentum.

-2026-02-27