Why Does Cambodia Import So Much Coffee If It Grows Coffee Locally?

Short answer: Cambodia grows coffee, but its domestic coffee supply is still small relative to the needs of roasters, cafés, packaged-coffee companies, and consumers. Trade data show that Cambodia continues to import substantial volumes of both green and roasted coffee, especially from neighboring and regional suppliers.

How much green coffee did Cambodia import in 2024?

World Bank WITS data based on UN Comtrade show that Cambodia imported 1,124,590 kg of coffee that was not roasted or decaffeinated in 2024, worth about US$3.16 million.

Vietnam supplied 956,099 kg, making it by far the largest source in that category.

External source: https://wits.worldbank.org/trade/comtrade/en/country/KHM/year/2024/tradeflow/Imports/partner/ALL/product/090111

Does that number equal Cambodia's total coffee consumption?

No.

This is a specific customs category: HS 090111, coffee not roasted and not decaffeinated. It does not include every roasted, soluble, decaffeinated, prepared, or coffee-substitute product consumed in Cambodia.

The number should therefore be described as green-coffee imports in this customs category, not total national consumption.

Does Cambodia also import roasted coffee?

Yes.

World Bank WITS reports that in 2023 Cambodia imported about 497,731 kg of roasted, non-decaffeinated coffee under HS 090121, worth about US$4.92 million. Major suppliers included Lao PDR, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

External source: https://wits.worldbank.org/trade/comtrade/en/country/KHM/year/2023/tradeflow/Imports/partner/ALL/product/090121

Why import coffee if local farmers already grow it?

Several explanations can exist at the same time:

1. Domestic production is still limited

Cambodia's local coffee value chain is still developing.

2. Buyers need consistent volume

Large roasters and beverage businesses may require more coffee than local farms can currently supply reliably.

3. Different products need different origins

Roasters may import specific Arabica or Robusta profiles for blends, espresso, instant coffee, or premium retail products.

4. Imported coffee can already have established logistics

Regional suppliers such as Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Malaysia have mature production and trading networks.

5. Cambodia's local sector is still expanding

SNV reports that Kofi is investing in local sourcing, farmer training, agroforestry, and processing specifically to reduce dependence on imported beans.

External source: https://www.snv.org/library/business-case-spotlight-kofi

Is the import gap a weakness or an opportunity?

Both.

It shows that local production is not yet sufficient to replace imported supply. But it also demonstrates an existing domestic market for coffee.

For Cambodian growers and processors, the opportunity is not necessarily to replace every imported kilogram. It is to capture higher-value segments where local origin, freshness, traceability, and Fine Robusta quality matter.

Why Vietnam matters in Cambodia's coffee market

Vietnam is geographically close and is one of the world's largest Robusta producers, making it a logical large-volume supplier.

The 2024 WITS data show Vietnam supplied about 85% of Cambodia's imports in the HS 090111 green-coffee category by weight.

That calculation comes directly from the reported 956,099 kg from Vietnam out of 1,124,590 kg total imports in that category.

What should Cambodia's strategy be?

Not total import substitution.

A more realistic strategy is:

• grow local production selectively;
• improve processing and consistency;
• build Mondulkiri as a recognizable origin;
• increase local sourcing where commercially viable;
• compete in quality-focused Robusta segments;
• use traceability and farmer identity as differentiation.

Faq

Does Cambodia import more coffee than it produces?

Public trade data clearly show substantial imports, but a direct import-versus-production comparison requires a reliable current production dataset using comparable years and units. It should not be guessed.

Where does Cambodia import green coffee from?

In 2024, Vietnam was the dominant supplier of Cambodia's HS 090111 green-coffee imports, followed by countries including Brazil, Indonesia, Colombia, and Laos.

Does Cambodia import roasted coffee too?

Yes. WITS data show significant imports of roasted, non-decaffeinated coffee as well.

Why is this important for Cambodian Fine Robusta?

A strong domestic import market means local Fine Robusta can target value replacement rather than only export markets: cafés and roasters inside Cambodia may also be potential buyers.

Primary external sources

• World Bank WITS / UN Comtrade, HS 090111, 2024: https://wits.worldbank.org/trade/comtrade/en/country/KHM/year/2024/tradeflow/Imports/partner/ALL/product/090111
• World Bank WITS / UN Comtrade, HS 090121, 2023: https://wits.worldbank.org/trade/comtrade/en/country/KHM/year/2023/tradeflow/Imports/partner/ALL/product/090121
• SNV Kofi: https://www.snv.org/library/business-case-spotlight-kofi