Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – According to the latest trade statistics from the Cambodian General Department of Customs, despite challenges posed by shifting global geopolitical circumstances, Cambodia's garment, footwear, and travel goods (GFT) industry demonstrated strong resilience at the start of 2026, with exports increasing by 6.19% year-on-year in January and February, continuing to lead the country's export economy.
Data shows that in the first two months of 2026, Cambodia's total GFT exports reached approximately US$2.59 billion, a steady increase compared to US$2.44 billion in the same period of 2025. Exports in this sector accounted for nearly 50% of the country's total exports during the same period (US$5.22 billion), maintaining its position as a core pillar of the national export economy. Among the various product categories, knitted garments topped the manufacturing export list with $1.1 billion in exports; non-knitted garments reached $715 million; leather travel goods and footwear contributed $358 million and $344 million respectively; and finished textile products totaled approximately $76 million, becoming one of the fastest-growing categories.
The GFT (Gross Textile Products) industry is not only a core engine of Cambodia's economic growth but also a key sector for ensuring social welfare. Currently, the industry employs over 900,000 people, the vast majority of whom are women, providing crucial support for stable employment and improved livelihoods.
Leveraging its highly competitive labor costs, continuously improving infrastructure, and preferential trade arrangements in major markets, Cambodia continues to attract international capital into the GFT sector. According to a February report from the Cambodian Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training, the total number of garment factories nationwide has reached 1,876, a 19% increase compared to the end of 2024, with 310 new factories expected to be added in 2025 alone. Major investors are from mainland China, Taiwan, and South Korea, demonstrating foreign investors' long-term confidence in Cambodia's business environment.
However, industry analysts warn that Cambodia's GFT (Gross-Filmed Toy) industry still needs to be wary of rising global protectionism, potential tariff policy changes, and fierce competition from similar manufacturing centers such as Vietnam and Bangladesh. It needs to continuously strengthen its industrial competitiveness to cope with external challenges.
Overall, the strong trade data at the start of 2026 confirms the robust growth momentum of Cambodia's GFT industry following the recovery in global demand. With the diversification of product lines and the continued relocation of international production bases, the industry is expected to continue to lead national industrial development throughout the year, injecting sustained momentum into Cambodia's economic growth. (End)
