Cambodia's international trade has decreased by 14.5% to $11.3 billion in the first quarter of 2023, according to a report by the General Department of Customs and Excise.

Cambodia's exports decreased by 5.7% to $5.4 billion during the same period, while imports decreased by 21.3% to $5.8 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $468 million. The US remained the biggest market for Cambodia's products, importing $1.8 billion worth of products, while China became the Kingdom's biggest trade partner with bilateral trade reaching $2.8 billion.

The decrease in exports was mainly attributed to the economic slowdown in the European Union and the US, which are the two largest markets for Cambodia-made products. The garment, footwear, and travel goods industry, is the largest foreign exchange earner for Cambodia.

Global economic situation not being good, and the slowdown in economic growth in the EU and US caused by the war in Ukraine has affected the purchase orders of products from Cambodia.

The situation has seen a decline in orders from outside, especially clothes and footwear.