By: Chhum Chantha and Chea Socheata

PHNOM PENH – Cambodia has begun sending rice to the Philippines, marking a new beginning for the sector as bulk cargo ships increase export capacity.

An inauguration ceremony for the shipment of 10,000 tonnes of rice was held at Sihanouk Autonomous Port  on Sept. 16, organized by City Rice and Dilai Trade and attended by Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.

“Bulk carriers are designed to transport large quantities of cargo by loading it directly into the holds without the need for containers,” Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries spokesperson Khim Finan said.

“For milled rice, the rice is packed into bags, tied into bundles with ropes, and then lifted and loaded directly into the hold.”

This will improve efficiency, enhance the global competitiveness of Cambodian rice, reduce transport costs and time, and ensure a stable supply of high-quality rice for the Philippines.

Using bulk carriers was made possible by Prime Minister Hun Manet’s directive to utilize PAS, along with the port authority’s close cooperation and facilitation.

In the first eight months of 2026, Cambodia exported 122,201 tonnes of rice to the Philippines, accounting for 15.4 percent of its total 790,000 tonnes of rice exports, the Cambodia Rice Federation says. Another 87,344 tonnes is contracted this year.

This is a big increase on last year’s record-breaking 940,311 tonnes and is due to the quality of rice produced in Cambodia, Finan said. 

This growth was a positive development for the rice value chain, benefiting all stakeholders from export rice millers down to farmers.

This achievement stems from joint governmental efforts to unlock a new export market in the Philippines while connecting private sector partners for mutual gain. 

Another aspect was the close cooperation between Dith Tina and his Philippines counterpart Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. This has built strong ties between the governments and private sectors to make the effort a success.

The Philippines is the world’s biggest rice importer. In the first four months of the year, it increased imports by 18% to 1.68 million tonnes to address food security concerns caused by El Nino risks and rising fertilizer costs. 

Vietnam remains its primary supplier, accounting for more than 86% of these imports alongside contributions from Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia.

To manage rising local inflation while safeguarding domestic farmers, the Philippine government is considering a retail price cap on imported rice. 

It is also weighing monthly import limits of 150,000 to 200,000 tonnes during the upcoming harvest season from June to October.

The country’s imports are expected to reach a record high of 5.5 million tonnes this year.

Published Date: September 22, 2026