Cambodia’s apparel industry experienced a strong increase in fabric and yarn imports in 2025, reflecting higher garment export orders and expanding factory activity. Trade and industry estimates show that Cambodia imported over US$3.4 billion worth of textile raw materials, marking a year-on-year growth of more than 20%.
China continued to dominate Cambodia’s upstream apparel supply chain, supplying around 60–65% of total fabric and yarn imports. Chinese suppliers remain preferred due to cost efficiency, large-scale capacity, and shorter lead times, particularly for fast-fashion and value apparel programs.
However, the rising import figures also underline Cambodia’s structural dependence on imported textiles, as the country has limited domestic spinning, weaving, and dyeing capacity. Most garment factories operate under cut-make-trim (CMT) or low-value FOB models, leaving the sector vulnerable to raw material price volatility, supply disruptions, and external trade shocks.
Industry stakeholders note that without significant investment in backward-linkage textile production or supplier diversification, Cambodia’s apparel growth will remain highly exposed to China-centric sourcing risks, especially as global brands increasingly focus on supply chain resilience and sustainability compliance.
RMG Export Performance Comparison: Bangladesh, Cambodia & Vietnam (2025)
| Country | RMG Export Value (2025*) | YoY Trend | Global Position |
| Bangladesh | US$47-48 billion | Moderate growth | World’s 2nd largest apparel exporter |
| Vietnam | US$44-45 billion | Strong recovery | Diversified, high-value apparel hub |
| Cambodia | US$11-12 billion | Gradual growth | Highly import-dependent producer |
*2025 figures are provisional estimates based on trade data trends, industry disclosures, and export performance in the first three quarters of the year.
Regional Comparison: Fabric & Yarn Import Dependence (2025)
| Country | Fabric & Yarn Import Reliance | Main Suppliers | Competitive Position |
| Cambodia | Very high (~80-85%) | China (60-65%) | CMT-driven, import-dependent |
| Bangladesh | Moderate (~35-40%) | China, India | Strong backward linkage |
| Vietnam | Medium-high (~55-60%) | China, South Korea | Rapid textile investment |
Key takeaway:
Compared with Bangladesh and Vietnam, Cambodia remains the most import-dependent apparel producer in the region, particularly for fabrics. While Bangladesh benefits from a strong backward-linkage textile industry and Vietnam continues to attract investment in weaving and dyeing, Cambodia’s competitiveness is still closely tied to China-centric fabric sourcing.
(Apparel Times BD News Desk)
