Global trade is entering a defining phase. According to UN Trade and Development’s year-end Global Trade Update, world trade in goods and services is set to exceed USD 35 trillion in 2025 for the first time in history—a landmark moment for the global economy and for businesses operating across borders.

At Entellus International Private Limited, this milestone strongly aligns with what we see on the ground: trade flows are expanding, but they are also becoming more regional, more selective, and more execution driven. We view this milestone not merely as a headline number, but as confirmation that trade flows are being reshaped, with new growth corridors, evolving supply chains, and a sharper focus on execution, risk management, and value-added trade solutions.

2025: A Record Year Driven by Real Trade Activity

The projected growth of nearly 7% over 2024, translating into an additional USD 2.2 trillion, is not merely a reflection of price inflation.

• Goods trade is expected to add about USD 1.5 trillion, supported by improving shipment volumes.
• Services trade continues to outperform, growing close to 9%, led by logistics, digital services, and trade-related business solutions.

Crucially, UN Trade and Development highlights that goods prices are moderating toward the end of 2025, signaling that current expansion is increasingly volume-led. This underlines genuine demand movement across global supply chains—an encouraging signal for exporters, importers, and sourcing partners alike.

For exporters, importers, and sourcing partners, this shift toward volume-led growth highlights the importance of cost efficiency, structured contracts, and resilient logistics planning—areas where experienced global trade partners play a decisive role.

Where the Growth Is Coming From: Markets That Matter

East Asia: The Manufacturing Backbone

East Asia remains the engine of global trade growth, with exports rising sharply and intra-regional trade expanding even faster. Deeply integrated manufacturing ecosystems and efficient supply chains continue to make the region indispensable to global commerce.

Africa: A High-Potential Growth Corridor

Africa’s rising imports and improving export performance reflect growing domestic demand, infrastructure development, and diversification of trade partnerships. For globally connected trade facilitators like Entellus International, Africa represents a strategic growth frontier rather than just an emerging market.

South–South Trade: The Structural Shift

Trade among developing economies is expanding faster than the global average. This shift is structural driven by regional value chains, new sourcing strategies, and a conscious move toward trade diversification. It reinforces the importance of multi-origin sourcing and market access beyond traditional trade routes.

Sectoral Trends Shaping Trade Decisions

• Manufacturing and electronics are leading growth, supported by demand linked to AI, digital infrastructure, and advanced industrial inputs.
• Agricultural trade has rebounded strongly, highlighting the continued importance of food security, agri-supply chains, and reliable exporters.
• Automotive trade reflects a transition phase, with hybrid vehicles gaining traction while conventional and fully electric segments remain uneven across markets.

These trends underscore the need for sector-specific trade strategies, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Rising Complexity Beneath the Record Numbers

Despite record trade values, the report also flags persistent challenges:

• Ongoing trade imbalances among major economies
• Renewed momentum in friendshoring and nearshoring, increasing trade concentration
• Higher trade costs, compliance requirements, and policy-driven uncertainty

For businesses, this means success in global trade increasingly depends on risk management, documentation accuracy, financing structures, and execution capability—areas where experienced trade partners add real value.

Looking Ahead to 2026: Growth with Caution

While trade is expected to continue growing in 2026, the pace is likely to moderate due to geopolitical tensions, rising debt levels, and policy uncertainty in key markets.

At the same time, opportunities will remain strong in:

• Emerging economies
• South–South trade corridors
• Digital, AI-driven, and sustainable sectors

The winners will be those who balance growth ambition with resilience and adaptability.

Entellus International Perspective

At Entellus International Private Limited, we view the USD 35 trillion milestone not just as a statistic, but as a clear signal that global trade is evolving. Businesses today require:

• Diversified sourcing and market access
• Structured trade solutions
• Strong execution across logistics, finance, and compliance

As a global exporter, importer, and sourcing partner, we remain committed to helping businesses navigate complexity, mitigate risk, and unlock opportunities across high-growth markets worldwide.

At Entellus International Private Limited, we believe the future of global trade belongs to businesses that combine market intelligence with execution excellence.

Our role is to help partners:

• Access diverse global markets with confidence
• Optimize sourcing, logistics, and trade finance structures
• Mitigate risk through customized, compliant, and scalable trade solutions

As global trade crosses the $35 trillion mark, the focus shifts from participation to positioning. Those who adapt to new trade realities today will define tomorrow’s growth.

Let’s connect and explore how strategic global trade partnerships can unlock sustainable growth in 2025 and beyond.