Cambodia's apparel exports to Thailand rising; fabric imports decline

In the first quarter (Q1) of 2023, Cambodia’s apparel exports to Thailand soared over 80 per cent to $20.936 million, with shipments reaching $25.450 million within the first four months of this year. Cambodia exported apparel worth $17.875 million in Q4 2022, and $11.636 million in Q1 2022 to Thailand. 

Remarkable growth in outbound shipments was observed not only in 2023, but also in the preceding year. Exports from Cambodia to Thailand totalled $57.604 million last year, a substantial rise from the $41.010 million recorded in 2021. The trade, however, plummeted to $73.986 million in 2020 and further to $41.010 million in 2021. It was noted at $95.806 million in 2019, according to Fibre2Fashion’s market insight tool TexPro. 

While Cambodia does import apparel from Thailand, these imports are in limited quantities. In January-April 2023, it imported apparel worth $6.387 million. Last year, imports amounted to $11.567 million, up from $7.099 million in 2021. 

Cambodia's fabric imports from Thailand were valued at $31.350 million during the first quarter of 2023, which shows a slowdown when compared to $33.390 million in Q4 2022 and $43.669 million in Q1 2022. The value of fabric imports reached $42.887 million between January and May 2023, as per TexPro.

In terms of annual import values, Cambodia imported fabric worth $156.588 million in 2022 from Thailand, up from $123.131 million in 2021. The numbers were lower in 2020, with the value of imports being $108.670 million, and slightly higher in 2019 at $133.145 million. 

ALCHEMPro News Desk (KUL)