PHNOM PENH 2 April 2026 (The Capital Post) – Cambodia has seen diesel prices soar to roughly twice their level recorded at the start of the Middle East conflict, intensifying concerns among farmers and businesses that rely heavily on fuel for daily operations.
According to Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce, the retail price of diesel reached 7,500 riel per litre as of April 1, a sharp increase from about 3,750 riel per litre in late February before the conflict escalated. The surge reflects rising global energy costs linked to geopolitical tensions affecting oil supply routes.
The price increase follows the outbreak of a broader regional conflict triggered by military strikes involving Iran, which has disrupted international energy markets and pushed up fuel prices worldwide. The situation has heightened concerns in countries heavily dependent on imported fuel, including Cambodia.
Cambodia imports nearly all of its petroleum products, leaving the nation particularly vulnerable to external shocks in global oil markets. Authorities regulate domestic fuel prices, but the sharp rise in global costs has still filtered through to consumers and industries.
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The spike has raised worries among farmers ahead of the upcoming planting season, when diesel-powered machinery such as tractors is widely used to prepare rice fields. Some farmers reported that the cost of hiring tractors for ploughing has nearly doubled, adding further strain to agricultural production costs.
Economists warn that sustained increases in diesel prices could ripple through Cambodia’s broader economy by driving up transportation and food costs, particularly in rural areas where agriculture remains a major livelihood.-The Capital Post