Floods affect 156,125 hectares of Cambodian rice fields

The national figure measures flooded area, not total crop loss

The National Committee for Disaster Management put the affected rice area at about 156,125 hectares as of September 30. Battambang, Banteay Meanchey and Siem Reap were among the provinces facing the heaviest impact.

That acreage should not be read as 156,125 hectares of rice completely destroyed. Some fields may suffer severe losses, while others may recover or be replanted. The final production hit will depend on how long water remains on the fields, the growth stage of the crop and the results of post-flood assessments.

For practical context, see Cambodia market and country comparisons. This development also connects with Cambodia floods affect over 25,500 families in 10 provinces.

The ministry says the affected area is about 5% of wet-season rice land

Agriculture Ministry spokesperson Khim Finan said the flooded area represents roughly 5% of Cambodia's approximately 3 million hectares of wet-season rice. On that basis, the ministry does not currently expect the floods to undermine national food security or rice exports.

The national picture can still conceal sharp local damage. Farmers who lose a crop may need to pay for replanting and face a delay before their next harvest generates income. The ministry has prepared rice seed for farmers who need to replant, but distribution is expected to follow a more detailed assessment of losses and whether sufficient water is available for another planting.

The next useful number is confirmed production loss

For households and businesses, the September 30 acreage is best treated as an interim measure of exposure. It does not yet show how much rice production Cambodia will ultimately lose or whether local disruptions will translate into broader retail-price pressure.

The ministry's food-security assessment therefore reduces the case for assuming a nationwide shortage from the flood figures alone. A clearer economic picture will come from the damage assessment, replanting needs and later harvest data.