Ongoing shifts in U.S. trade policy, higher export tariffs and intermittent certification delays have prompted many buyers, especially in the Global South, to reassess their reliance on American farm and food shipments. This disruption has created a window of opportunity for exporters in Asia and Africa to position themselves as reliable, cost‑competitive suppliers of key agricultural commodities, meat and poultry products.

Cambodia currently ranks 10th among the world’s largest rice producers, both for domestic consumption and export, according to the Cambodia Rice Federation. In 2022 alone, the nation exported approximately 630,000 tonnes of milled rice, generating revenues exceeding $400 million. This remarkable achievement stems from deliberate and strategic policies under the visionary leadership of former Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen, who prioritized the development of the agricultural sector as a cornerstone of national growth. For African nations grappling with the dual challenges of food insecurity and heavy reliance on rice imports, a commodity with annual import bills exceeding $5 billion for Sub-Saharan Africa, Cambodia’s success offers a valuable roadmap.