AKP Phnom Penh, January 26, 2025 --

H.E. Samheng Bora, Secretary State at the Ministry of Commcerce and Chairman of the Export Promotion Task Force, conducted on Jan. 23-24 high-level discussions with Japan's top three leading rice importers, centering on enhancing Cambodian rice exports to the Japanese market.

He underscored the Ministry of Commerce's dedication to expanding agricultural exports through the Export Promotion Task Force, emphasising the Royal Government’s efforts to align Cambodian rice with international quality standards, and outlined a broader vision of fostering trade relations and exploring new avenues for cooperation between the two nations.

Japanese companies expressed strong interest in Cambodia’s rice sector, acknowledging its potential and demonstrating optimism about introducing Cambodian rice to their supply chains.

Both parties expressed positive and collaborative note, reaffirming a shared commitment to promoting Cambodian rice in Japan and strengthening bilateral trade ties.

The Japan's top three leading rice importers collectively hold 80 percent of the Japanese market share; among them was ITOCHU Corporation, Japan’s largest rice importer.

Cambodia exported some 651,000 tonnes of milled rice to international markets last year, a slight decrease of 0.7 percent from 656,000 tonnes in 2023, according to a report from the Cambodia Rice Federation.

The Kingdom earned US$491 million from rice export in 2024, up 5.3 percent from US$466 million recorded in 2023.

By Chea Vannak