Cambodia launches new bulk-carrier route to export rice directly to Philippines
Cambodia launched direct bulk-carrier rice shipments to the Philippines with an initial 10,000-tonne consignment. Rice exports to the Philippines reached 122,102 tonnes in January-August 2026, with contracted shipments potentially lifting annual exports to 209,446 tonnes.
Cambodia has launched a new waterway transport system to export rice directly to the Philippines, with a 10,000-tonne shipment marking a new step in expanding the country’s rice exports by sea.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Dith Tina led the ceremony at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port today, to launch the transportation of 10,000 tonnes of rice by bulk carrier between City Rice and Dilai Trading for direct export from Cambodia to the Philippines.
Tina said that the initiative marks a new development for Cambodia’s rice sector, as bulk-carrier shipments will add to existing container-based maritime transport and expand the country’s capacity to export rice by water.
The new transport method is expected to improve efficiency and competitiveness for Cambodian rice in international markets, while reducing transportation costs and delivery times and helping ensure a stable supply of high-quality rice to the Philippine market.
He said that the shipment was made possible following guidance from Prime Minister Hun Manet on the use of Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, with the successful operation also supported by close cooperation and coordination from the port.
During the first eight months of 2026, Cambodia exported 122,102 tonnes of rice to the Philippines, accounting for more than 15.4% of the country’s total rice exports of 792,212 tonnes, according to the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF).
The CRF said an additional 87,344 tonnes of rice had already been contracted for export to the Philippines from September to December this year. This is expected to bring Cambodia’s total rice exports to the Philippines in 2026 to approximately 209,446 tonnes.
The increase is significant compared with previous years and is among the factors contributing to expectations that Cambodia’s rice exports could exceed 1 million tonnes in 2026, surpassing the previous record of 940,321 tonnes exported in 2025.
The development reflects efforts by the Cambodian and Philippine governments, together with private-sector businesses from both countries, to open new markets and strengthen business-to-business connections.
The expanded rice trade provides Cambodia with a new export market while giving the Philippines an additional source of rice to contribute to its food security.
Close cooperation between Dith Tina and Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco P Tiu Laurel Jr, together with private-sector companies and relevant government institutions, has contributed to the development of the new trade channel.
The organisation of business-to-business matchmaking forums also played an important role in connecting businesses from the two countries and facilitating concrete trade opportunities.
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Source : KHMER TIMES
