PHNOM PENH: Cambodian exporters have expressed hope that the Republic of Korea will open more market opportunities for Cambodian products, as two-way trade between the two countries reached about US$747 million in the first ten months of 2025, an increase of 7.66 percent year-on-year.
Speaking to AKP while attending the ASEAN Trade Fair organised by the ASEAN-Korea Centre from Nov. 13-16, 2025 in the Republic of Korea, Confirel’s Trade Marketing Manager, Mr. Ear Chhayheng, said the company is exploring the possibility of exporting additional products to the Korean market.
“Some 30 Cambodian products are already available in the Republic of Korea, but we still have more products that we hope to export,” he said, citing GI-certified Kampong Speu palm sugar and Kampot pepper among them.
“After attending the three-day ASEAN Trade Fair, we hope to export more items, especially powdered prahok, cashew nuts, and pepper flower tea,” he added, noting that new developments are expected by the end of this year or early next year.
Similarly, the President of the Cambodia Pepper and Spices Federation (CPSF), Mr. Mak Ny, also expressed optimism that South Korea will increase imports of Cambodian pepper. Currently, about 80 percent of Cambodian pepper is exported to Vietnam, he said, adding that his participation in the fair aimed to expand market access to Korea.
The ASEAN Trade Fair, held as part of ASEAN Week 2025, provided a platform for ASEAN small and medium-sized enterprises to connect with Korean buyers. A variety of Cambodian products, including cashew nuts, pepper, dried mango, noodles and so on, were showcased at the event.
In the first ten months of 2025, Cambodia’s exports to Korea amounted to US$262.47 million, a slight increase of 0.15 percent, while imports from Korea rose by 12.22 percent to US$484.22 million.