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Cambodia’s fuel prices have surged sharply, prompting higher transportation cost, however, the government has assured that there is adequate gasoline reserves and urged the public not to panic.
A petrol kiosk worker in Phnom Penh said regular gasoline has been out of stock since Sunday, and is only able to sell super gasoline at 6,800 riels per liter, which has risen from 4,750 riel.
“Many customers are coming to fill up [causing] regular gasoline to run out of stock,” said Thy Bunthea.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Commerce on fuel prices for March 8 to 10, 2026, per liter prices in Cambodia have increased significantly. Regular gasoline cost rose 550 riel to 4,400 riel per liter from 3,850 riel per liter, while diesel climbed to 5,150 riel per liter, up 1,300 riel compared to previous prices.
Global prices have increased on the back of the conflict in the Middle East and the disruption of shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s key oil and gas shipping routes.
Vorn Pov, president of Independent Democracy of Informal Economy Association (IDEA), said informal workers are concerned about the impact of the conflict, which has pushed up domestic fuel and gas prices and affected daily livelihood.
Regular gasoline price has risen to 2,500 riel, while premium gasoline was up at 5,500 riel per liter, he mentioned, adding that local fuel stations have temporarily shut down or suspended sales.
There are about 200,000 tuk-tuk drivers nationwide, he estimated, noting that many are facing financial pressure as their income has not kept pace with rising expenses.
“They spend more on fuel while their income remains low, so there is no balance between expenses and earnings,” Pov said. “Such a situation could increase poverty rates, as the prices of goods rise while incomes remain low and costs continue to grow. This is the reality we are seeing.”
Pov urged the government to review the companies which import fuel and gas to prevent them from profiting excessively from rising fuel prices. If possible, he said, the government should consider providing additional subsidies on fuel prices to restore public confidence and prevent further economic hardship for citizens.
He added that the government should examine whether it has the capacity to import gasoline directly in order to avoid private sector monopoly and establish direct sales to people at reasonable prices.
Tuk-tuk driver Bun Seun told CamboJA News that since fuel and gas prices started to rise, his income has declined, affecting his ability to support his family.
Seun said he previously spent about 1,500 riel daily on gas for work, but ever since prices increased he has to spend an additional 10,000 riel to purchase enough gas to transport passengers, however, passenger numbers have also dropped.
“Some places sell gas between 2,500 and 3,000 riel. I now spend about 10,000 riel more than I used to,” he said. “It affects my livelihood as everything is becoming more expensive.”
Seun urged the government to take action on the rising prices and check on local companies that are selling above the price set by the ministry.
“I ask the government and relevant ministries to review this issue and consider releasing state funds to help stabilize fuel prices,” he said. “Otherwise, it will seriously affect people’s livelihoods because some places have raised prices by as much as 1,000 riel.”
Keo Rottanak, Minister of Mines and Energy, urged the public not to panic, noting that Cambodia has adequate gasoline reserves for about 21 days, assuming the country is unable to import fuel.
“We have not yet reached a situation of fuel supply shortage,” he said. “Cambodia currently continues to import fuel daily; there has been no closure on sources of fuel importing oil,” he added.
Local fuel companies are currently importing sufficient supplies each day to meet domestic demand. However, he said local prices may rise due to higher prices in the international oil and gas market.
He urged the public not to indulge in panic buying and storing fuel in containers, warning that it could be a fire risk.
Meanwhile, Hong Vannak, economics researcher with the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said rising gasoline prices are not only affecting Cambodia but are a global issue.
“Higher gasoline prices will affect supply chains, production and transportation. The price of goods would rise in Cambodia, contrasting with the relatively low income of citizens,” he said. “When transportation costs rise, it will put pressure on livelihoods.”
He said the government should consider forming an ad hoc committee to address the issue by strengthening oil reserves, seeking alternative sources of fuel imports and exploring domestic oil production.
Commerce Ministry spokesperson Pen Sovicheat could not be reached for comment. Government spokesperson Pen Bona declined to comment, referring to information on the Facebook page of the Ministry of Commerce.
