Cambodia’s garment, footwear and travel goods (GFT) sector, the country’s largest foreign exchange earner, maintained steady growth in the first two months of 2026, defying global trade headwinds and solidifying its position as a key player in Southeast Asia’s apparel manufacturing landscape. Official customs data shows that Cambodia’s GFT exports totaled approximately $2.59 billion in January and February, a year-on-year increase of 6.19% compared with $2.44 billion in the same period of 2025.
This export volume accounts for nearly 50% of Cambodia’s total national exports in the first two months, which hit $5.22 billion, highlighting the sector’s irreplaceable role in the national economy. By segment, knitted apparel led the way with $1.1 billion in exports, followed by non-knitted apparel with $715 million. Footwear and travel goods exports reached $344 million and $358 million respectively, while finished textile products recorded the fastest growth rate among all categories. Global buyers, including European and American fast fashion brands and sportswear retailers, are increasingly diversifying their sourcing strategies to include Cambodia, thanks to its stable labor supply, preferential trade policies with major economies, and relatively competitive production costs compared with some traditional Asian manufacturing hubs.
Industry officials stated that the sector will continue to attract foreign investment in industrial upgrading and sustainable production in 2026, aiming to boost product added value and expand market share in high-end apparel segments.