Instead of white rice market, Cambodia presently focusing mainly on high-grade aromatic rice. On the other hand, Vietnam is responding very well to the white rice needs of international customers. With this business strategy, Cambodia most likely can be alienated from the group of rice exporting countries in the world. That will affect the Cambodian farmers very dearly.
Vietnam's production and shipping costs are quite low compared to Cambodia, and white rice is delivered directly to the ship as bulk cargo. If Cambodia follows the same method of transportation then it will not make any profit and that is because of the high production costs. Cambodia exported 30% of its white rice production, mainly to the European Union market. However, the EU has applied safeguard measures against Cambodian rice. Therefore, now Cambodia cannot compete with Vietnam in the European market when EVFTA was available.