In 2020, both the global trade volume and the growth in GDP ******* following the outbreak of COVID-19. It ********* again in 2021, but is estimated to have slowed somewhat in 2023 following the rising global inflation rates.

In 2022, the global trade value of goods exported throughout the world amounted to approximately 24.9 trillion U.S. dollars at current prices. In comparison, this figure stood at around 6.45 trillion U.S. dollars in 2000. The rise in the value of goods exported around the world reflects developments in international trade, globalization, and advances in technology.

Export trade
Global trade refers to the exchange of capital, goods and services between different countries and territories. The export of trade goods refers to goods sold internationally which were grown, produced, or manufactured in another country.

Who are the leading importers and exporters of trade goods?
In 2021, China was the largest source of goods exported around the world, with total merchandise exports valuing approximately 3.37 trillion U.S. dollars. That year, China was responsible for almost 15 percent of all trade goods exported around the world. The United States was the second largest exporters of goods that year. The United States was the leading importer of merchandise in the world as of 2021. That year, the global superpower accounted for 13 percent of the world’s merchandise imports.

The European Union's share of both world exports and imports has on average been falling for the past two decades. During this time, the EU opened up a small trade deficit during the years around the Great Recession and the Eurozone crisis, before sustaining a large surplus in the years after 2011. This surplus was driven by exporting countries such as Germany who specialize in exporting products such as chemicals, manufactured products and heavy machinery, while the cost competitiveness of EU exporters was maintained by a decade which saw little real wage growth for EU workers. On the other hand, the EU also imported heavy manufactured goods, while being a notable energy and fuel importer. The economic problems experienced in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 led to Europe once more opening up a trade deficit, while this once more became a surplus in 2023 and 2024, as Europe's share of world imports sank bank to 14.4 percent and the exports to 15.8 percent.

Global Bulk Carrier Ships market size was $374.24 Billion in 2022 and it is forecasted to reach $412.36 Billion by 2030. Bulk Carrier Ships Industry's Compound Annual Growth Rate will be 4.4% from 2023 to 2030. Factors Impacting on Bulk Carrier Ships Market

Rise in international trading

Trading and transportation across the borders have dramatically increased over the past few decades. Moreover, recent couple of decades have seen mounted growth in world economy. This trade growth is an ultimate result of both technological advancements and reduction in trade barriers. Almost every country is aggressively promoting economic development which is driving world trade to significantly grow every year with an average growth of 6%. International trade allows countries to expand their markets by providing goods and services to other countries. It thus allows countries to extend their markets and get access to items and services that are otherwise be unavailable in their home country. International commerce also leads to the increasing competitiveness. This integration thus helps in raising living standards across the world. Import, export, and entrepot activities are used in international trade. Currently, technological innovation, increased need for a variety of items, and rising desire for authentic products are all driving up international commercial activity. Bulk carrier ships play vital role in supply chain by carrying cargo across oceans linking borders across the globe. It is one of the most cost-effective ways to transfer large amounts of commodities throughout the world. Shipping and seaborne trade have enabled the transition from a world of separated territories to a globally linked community. Hence surging international trade drives the growth of bulk carrier’s market across the globe.

Restraining Factor of Bulk Carrier Ships market

Volatility in transportation cost and tensions in trade across borders may hamper the growth of market Volatility in the prices of fuels impacts pricing of the goods. Further, in case of global rise in the tariffs, high import prices hamper firm's production costs as well as purchasing power of customers. Further, stringent regulations, such as tracking orders, meeting promised timeline, determining liabilities, etc. associated with shipping goods across borders may hinder the growth of market. Moreover, unstable political parameters of any particular country also hamper the cargo shipping market. For instance, Russia-Ukraine war has impacted the shipping industry owing to the rise in the oil prices. Furthermore, ongoing U.S.-China tariff stand-off is also threatening trading across the borders. Hence, geopolitical crisis somehow hinders the growth of bulk carriers ships market.

Current Trends on Bulk Carrier Ships

Technological Improvement

Demand for coal, ores and cement has increased owing to the liberalization in global trade. This demand will keep on increasing and to meet the growing demand, developments have been made to offer solutions that can enable reduction in the transportation cost. Moreover, rise in the environment concern is aiming to reduce the impact of CO2 emissions from ships on marine culture by reducing the fuel consumption. Hence, new regulations have made in designing smaller ship size bulk carrier ship with engines meeting the demand for lower rpm in order to obtain an optimum ship design with highly efficient large propellers.

What is the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Bulk Carrier Ships Market?

Advent of COVID-19 in year 2020 has plunged international trade due to the reduction in production and distribution of goods. Initial period of pandemic has resulted in the double-digit decline of revenue from bulk carrier ship market. However, the second half of pandemic global trade started recovering at relatively faster pace facilitating a V-shaped graph. What are Bulk Carrier Ships?

Carrier ships are the integral link between the production and its consumption all across the globe. It thus plays very crucial part in connecting global economy. It has been estimated that almost 80% of global goods gets transported across oceans via ships. Though air freight is less time consuming, but the cost associated with it is too high in comparison to carrier ships. Further, carrier shipping allows heavy loads, as well as hazardous materials which brings flexibility in tra...

The rapid ascent of e-commerce and omnichannel strategies is reshaping consumer engagement and purchasing patterns, driving a wave of transformation across the retail trade sector. As of 2025, the sector is expected to log $7.4 trillion in revenue, although its growth is anticipated to decelerate slightly to 0.4% in the current year. Gen Z and millennials have championed the digital shopping revolution, pushing retailers to prioritize online sales and customer engagement platforms. However, brick-and-mortar stores retain a pivotal role in supporting ongoing customer engagement alongside the online momentum as retailers blend physical and digital experiences. As automation has augmented efficiency across operations, retailers have also strategically diversified product lines and incorporated sustainability into their brands to meet changing consumer expectations. Over the past five years, the retail sector has seen a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%, which underscores the impact of diversified strategies in maintaining momentum. The adoption of automation has produced mixed results. Self-checkout systems, for example, have reduced payroll expenses for businesses while streamlining the customer experience, though several studies have reported that some customer segments dislike self-checkout due to technological glitches and some retailers have struggled with implementation and reported a rise in theft. Major chains like Target have honed their product diversification strategies, transforming their stores into one-stop shops that blend essential goods with discretionary items and healthcare, driving up revenue in multiple categories. Sustainability is another theme of the current period, with the sector’s commitment marked by increased budgets for eco-friendly practices and a growing market for pre-owned goods. Despite high inflation during the period giving way to high interest rates that stayed stagnant for a year before beginning to fall again in September 2024, retailers managed to navigate the challenges of economic fluctuations and keep consumer interest high through diversification. A projected compound annual growth rate of 0.9% for the next five years would set revenue on a steady path toward an expected $7.7 trillion through the end of 2030. Artificial intelligence is set to further revolutionize retail operations, enhancing stock management, logistics and consumer personalization. Augmented and virtual reality technologies will prove integral to engaging the tech-savvy younger generations by offering novel ways to interact with products before purchase. However, global trade tensions and tariffs could challenge profitability as retailers manage higher import costs. Reverse logistics will thrive as consumers’ eco-consciousness continues to grow, turning returns into revenue opportunities and aligning with trends toward sustainable consumption. The sector’s profit is expected to remain steady over the next five years, bolstered by consumers’ willingness to trade up to items that mix luxury and affordability.

Imports in the United States decreased to 350.52 USD Billion in May from 350.83 USD Billion in April of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United States Imports - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

The Freight Transport by Sea industry in China is mainly engaged in shipping exported items to their destination countries and territories from China and shipping imported items from other countries. Therefore, the industry's performance is extremely sensitive to the global economic climate as well as situation of China economy, as these determine the international trade between China and other countries.China has been the largest country in goods trade since 2017. In 2023, total import and export value of goods in China reached $5.9 trillion, down by 5.0% from 2022, ranking the first in the world for seven consecutive years despite the decrease. Largest international trade scale has stimulated the demand for ocean shipping services. Industry revenue is expected to increase at an annualized 5.8% over the five years through 2024. This includes anticipated increase of 8.1% in the current year, to $59.7 billion, mainly due to the low freight rates.The freight transportation volume by sea in China in 2020 and 2022 has increased by 0.6% and 2.2% year on year, mainly due to the repeated COVID-19 pandemic in China. However, the efficiency of global logistics turnover has decreased due to the prevention and control measures of COVID-19 pandemic. Freight rates have stayed high since the second half year of 2020 resulted by the serious congestions in some ports and short supply of container positions. Industry revenue realized year-on-year growth of 19.8% in 2020, 88.3% in 2021 and 13.4% in 2022. Freight rates have dropped dramatically in 2023, leading to a decrease in industry revenue, by 52.1% from 2022.Industry revenue is forecast to rise at an annualized 8.1% over the five years through 2029, to $88.1 billion. The recovery of China's economy and the largest international trade scale between China and other countries will continue to support the industry growth. The implementation of RCEP will also stimulate international trade between China and member countries, and further promote the demand for ocean shipping services.

Over the five years through 2024-25, freight forwarding and customs agents’ revenue is forecast to climb at a compound annual rate of 5.7%. Freight forwarders and customs agents are managing an increasingly complex network of supply chain operations, offering vital support services that aid businesses in handling both domestic and international trade logistics. Since Brexit, the demand for customs brokerage services has surged as businesses and consumers adapt to an ever-changing regulatory landscape, creating additional income opportunities. The industry's revenue prospects are shaped by broader macroeconomic factors including business output and consumer disposable income, which influence demand for freight forwarding services. Furthermore, fluctuations in transport freight rates also impact revenue growth in the industry. Revenue growth has slowed over the past couple of years thanks to weakening business confidence and inflationary pressures due to the supply chain disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The conflict has disrupted supply chains and resulted in the closure of several travel corridors, slowing down global trade. These supply chain issues have led to significant commodity price increases, notably fuel and energy and heightened expenses for freight forwarding businesses, straining profitability. Freight forwarders are also dealing with other geopolitical-induced supply issues, like the Red Sea Crisis, which has caused longer transportation times due to rerouting, which has heightened operating costs. Nevertheless, inflationary pressures are easing, which is gradually restoring consumer and business confidence, stimulating greater demand for freight forwarding services as key markets expand output. In 2024-25, revenue is forecast to expand by 5.2% to £29.5 billion. Over the five years through 2029-30, revenue is projected to increase at a compound annual rate of 4% to reach £35.9 billion. In the medium term, demand is likely to climb, resulting from a stabilising economic climate, boosting consumer and business confidence. The longer-term effects of the new EU-UK trading relationship may cause a drag on the industry until companies adjust to new supply chains and regulations. However, new trade agreements will be reached, boosting trade levels and driving the need for freight forwarding and customs agents’ services. Profit is likely to climb due to freight forwarders investing more in technology, particularly automation and AI, to improve the efficiency of their systems, attract customers and reduce costs.

In 2024, the annual growth rate of the real gross domestic product (GDP) in Taiwan amounted to approximately 4.6 percent. GDP refers to the total market value of all goods and services that are produced within a country per year. It is an important indicator of the economic strength of a country. GDP development in Taiwan The GDP of Taiwan displayed a comparatively stable development over the last decade with growth rates averaging 3.3 percent between 2014 and 2024. This strong economic performance was mainly due to the successful development of high-tech industries, especially in the electronics sector, and the firm integration into global value chains. The industrial sector of Taiwan is still comparatively large and produces many intermediate products for the global market. Despite the island’s small size, Taiwan is among the leading exporters and has one of the highest trade surpluses in the world. GDP per capita reached around 32,400 U.S. dollars in 2023. Current economic development Taiwan was among few to be able to maintain strong economic growth during the global spread of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and 2021. At the end of 2022, the country was hit by the global economic downturn, and quarterly GDP growth dropped to -3.5 percent in the first quarter of 2023. However, the economy rebounded quickly and returned to positive growth in the second quarter.

According to preliminary figures, the growth of real gross domestic product (GDP) in China amounted to 5.0 percent in 2024. For 2025, the IMF expects a GDP growth rate of around 3.95 percent. Real GDP growth The current gross domestic product is an important indicator of the economic strength of a country. It refers to the total market value of all goods and services that are produced within a country per year. When analyzing year-on-year changes, the current GDP is adjusted for inflation, thus making it constant. Real GDP growth is regarded as a key indicator for economic growth as it incorporates constant GDP figures. As of 2024, China was among the leading countries with the largest gross domestic product worldwide, second only to the United States which had a GDP volume of almost 29.2 trillion U.S. dollars. The Chinese GDP has shown remarkable growth over the past years. Upon closer examination of the distribution of GDP across economic sectors, a gradual shift from an economy heavily based on industrial production towards an economy focused on services becomes visible, with the service industry outpacing the manufacturing sector in terms of GDP contribution. Key indicator balance of trade Another important indicator for economic assessment is the balance of trade, which measures the relationship between imports and exports of a nation. As an economy heavily reliant on manufacturing and industrial production, China has reached a trade surplus over the last decade, with a total trade balance of around 992 billion U.S. dollars in 2024.

In 2023, China was the country with the highest trade surplus, with approximately ****** billion U.S. dollars. The leading trade nations Typically a trade surplus indicates a sign of economic success and a trade deficit indicates an economic weakness. However, if that were true, then the top four, China, Germany, Russia and Ireland, would be considered the best performing countries in the world. However, this would mean that the United States, Great Britain, India and France would be among the weakest nations considering that they are four countries with the highest trade deficit. In fact, they are leading industrial nations. While China is known for producing and exporting products at a competitive price, it has undervalued its exchange rate in order to promote exports. However, China is now working to reduce its reliance on exports even though they continue to export large and increasing quantities of goods. In the case of Germany, the value of the euro may not be high enough, however growth concerning the value of exports has slowed over the past few years. In contrast, the value of the dollar in the United States may be too high, favoring imports as opposed to exports.

The statistic shows the growth of the real gross domestic product (GDP) in India from 2020 to 2024, with projections up until 2030. GDP refers to the total market value of all goods and services that are produced within a country per year. It is an important indicator of the economic strength of a country. Real GDP is adjusted for price changes and is therefore regarded as a key indicator for economic growth. In 2024, India's real gross domestic product growth was at about 6.46 percent compared to the previous year. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate in India Recent years have witnessed a shift of economic power and attention to the strengthening economies of the BRIC countries: Brazil, Russia, India, and China. The growth rate of gross domestic product in the BRIC countries is overwhelmingly larger than in traditionally strong economies, such as the United States and Germany. While the United States can claim the title of the largest economy in the world by almost any measure, China nabs the second-largest share of global GDP, with India racing Japan for third-largest position. Despite the world-wide recession in 2008 and 2009, India still managed to record impressive GDP growth rates, especially when most of the world recorded negative growth in at least one of those years. Part of the reason for India’s success is the economic liberalization that started in 1991and encouraged trade subsequently ending some public monopolies. GDP growth has slowed in recent years, due in part to skyrocketing inflation. India’s workforce is expanding in the industry and services sectors, growing partially because of international outsourcing — a profitable venture for the Indian economy. The agriculture sector in India is still a global power, producing more wheat or tea than anyone in the world except for China. However, with the mechanization of a lot of processes and the rapidly growing population, India’s unemployment rate remains relatively high.

In 2024, global retail e-commerce sales reached an estimated ************ U.S. dollars. Projections indicate a ** percent growth in this figure over the coming years, with expectations to come close to ************** dollars by 2028. World players Among the key players on the world stage, the American marketplace giant Amazon holds the title of the largest e-commerce player globally, with a gross merchandise value of nearly *********** U.S. dollars in 2024. Amazon was also the most valuable retail brand globally, followed by mostly American competitors such as Walmart and the Home Depot. Leading e-tailing regions E-commerce is a dormant channel globally, but nowhere has it been as successful as in Asia. In 2024, the e-commerce revenue in that continent alone was measured at nearly ************ U.S. dollars, outperforming the Americas and Europe. That year, the up-and-coming e-commerce markets also centered around Asia. The Philippines and India stood out as the swiftest-growing e-commerce markets based on online sales, anticipating a growth rate surpassing ** percent.

The statistic shows the gross domestic product growth rate in Canada from 2020 to 2024, with projections up until 2030. In 2024, Canada’s real GDP growth was around 1.53 percent compared to the previous year.Economy of CanadaAs an indicator for the shape of a country’s economy, there are not many factors as telling as GDP. GDP is the total market value of all final goods and services that have been produced within a country within a given period of time, usually a year. Real GDP figures serve as an even more reliable tool in determining the direction in which a country’s economy may be swaying, as they are adjusted for inflation and reflect real price changes.Canada is one of the largest economies in the world and is counted among the globe’s wealthiest nations. It has a relatively small labor force in comparison to some of the world’s other largest economic powers, amounting to just under 19 million. Unemployment in Canada has remained relatively high as the country has battled against the tide of economic woe that swept across the majority of the world after the 2008 financial meltdown, and although moving in the right direction, there is still some way to go for Canada.Canada is among the leading trading nations worldwide, owing to the absolutely vast supplies of natural resources, which make up a key part of the Canadian trading relationship with the United States, the country with which Canada trades by far the most. In recent years, around three quarters of Canadian exports went to the United States and just over half of its imports came from its neighbor to the south. The relationship is very much mutually beneficial; Canada is the leading foreign energy supplier to the United States.

The statistic shows the inflation rate in Russia from 1997 to 2024, with projections until 2030. The inflation rate is calculated using the price increase in a defined product basket. This product basket contains products and services, on which the average consumer spends money throughout the year. They include expenses for groceries, clothes, rent, power, telecommunications, recreational activities and raw materials (e.g., gas, oil), as well as federal fees and taxes. In 2022, the average inflation rate in Russia was at about 13.75 percent compared to the previous year. Russia's economic uplift Based on economic power and economic standards, Russia is recognized as one of the biggest economic powers in the world. With a population of around 143 million people and a re-awakened population growth since 2010, Russia has tried to establish itself as one of the world’s largest economies and wealthiest nations and succeeded, being the sixth-largest economy in the world today. The gross domestic product (GDP) increase in Russia from 2009 to 2014 is also a good indicator of Russia’s economic growth and strength. After the 1998 Russian financial crisis, several reforms were introduced to the Russian economy which allowed it to recover. Not only did the Russian economy experience a great boost, but the quality of life in Russia as well as the people’s satisfaction with the direction of the country has also improved. In comparison to the previous year - with the exception of 2009 -, the Russian real gross domestic product growth rate has increased over the past decade. The trade balance of goods has been experiencing a rapid increase since the beginning of the millennium, with the exceptions of 2007 and 2009 due to the global economic crisis. This allowed Russia to export more goods than it imported. This high trade balance of goods resulted in a low inflation rate in 2012, the lowest recorded inflation rate since 2004.

Currently, China manufactures about 20 percent of intermediate products traded in the global supply chain and Chinese products represent a critical part of the global value chain of the electrical machinery sector. For this reason, the disruption caused by COVID-19 in China alone is expected to reverberate on the economy of many other countries worldwide. In the European Union, the electrical machinery industry is expected to lose about 1.2 billion U.S. dollars from a two percent reduction in China exports of intermediate inputs. The European chemical and automotive sector are also expected to suffer similar impacts.

China's role in the global economy Since the beginning of the 1990s, China started to open up its markets with attractive incentives to foreign investors. Three decades later, the country has become the second-largest economy in the world with the highest absolute catch-up effect observed during this time span. For instance, between 2003 and 2019, China's semiconductor consumption market share increased at a high pace, reaching 60 percent in 2019. Besides, the export value of machine tools from China reached roughly four billion U.S. dollars in 2018, up from 1.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2009. With solid economic strategies, the country could quickly reduce the wealth gap with the developed countries. At the moment, the country is highly specialized in various industries and continues its progress to strengthen its international export position. China’s exports of high-tech goods represented 27 percent of its total exports in 2018.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Chinese economy For the first time since the 2000s, the Chinese real gross domestic product (GDP) experienced a negative growth rate in the first quarter of 2020 because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak. The economy is expected to grow only by one percent in 2020. Yet over the past few years, the average annual real GDP growth rate in China was around seven percent. To take a closer look at how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the Chinese economy, a multidimensional approach is necessary since the country has a vastly diversified economic activity. For instance, between January and February 2020, the total industrial production in China declined by 13.5 percent compared to the previous year. But Chinese industrial production started to recover quickly. By April 2020, the total industrial production in China reached a positive year-on-year change, roughly 3.9 percent. Although the country experienced a large economic shock caused by the coronavirus outbreak, it started to recover quickly thanks to strong economic policy responses. By the fourth quarter of 2020, the Chinese business and government purchases of technology goods and services are expected to grow by about seven percent.

In 2024, the gross domestic product (GDP) of Taiwan amounted to around **** trillion New Taiwan dollars or ***** billion U.S. dollars (at current prices). Annual GDP growth increased to *** percent in 2024 and was forecasted to reach *** percent in 2025. Quarterly GDP growth reached *** percent in the fourth quarter of 2024. Taiwan’s economic development Gross domestic product (GDP) measures the value of all goods and services produced in an economy over a certain time, normally a year. It is a primary indicator of economic strength. Although Taiwan is a comparatively small island, it has a highly developed economy with a high per capita GDP in comparison to other economies in Asia-Pacific.Taiwan is highly integrated in international value chains and is well known for its computer and chip industries. Over the last decade, Taiwan experienced stable economic growth averaging more than three percent, and had comparatively low inflation and unemployment rates. Important economic sectors Taiwan maintains a significant industrial sector. Manufacturing alone contributes around one third to the total GDP, while wholesale and retail trade made up for around ** percent in 2023. This is due to a high export orientation of the economy, with electronic parts being the leading export products. The service sector has been stable at around ** percent of the GDP over the last decade.

Internet sales have played an increasingly significant role in retailing. In 2024, e-commerce accounted for over ** percent of retail sales worldwide. Forecasts indicate that by 2029, the online segment will make up close to over ** percent of total global retail sales. Retail e-commerce Online shopping has grown steadily in popularity in recent years. In 2024, global e-commerce sales amounted to over ************** U.S. dollars, a figure expected to exceed **** trillion U.S. dollars by 2028. Digital development in Latin America boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic, generating unprecedented e-commerce growth in various economies across the region. So much so that Brazil and Argentina appear to lead the world's fastest-growing online retail markets. This trend correlates strongly with the constantly improving online access, especially in "mobile-first" online communities, which have long struggled with traditioe-comernal fixed broadband connections due to financial or infrastructure constraints but enjoy the advantages of cheap mobile broadband connections. M-commerce on the rise The average order value of online shopping via smartphones and tablets still lags traditional e-commerce via desktop computers. However, e-retailers around the world have caught up in mobile e-commerce sales. Online shopping via smartphones is particularly prominent in Asia. By the end of 2021, Malaysia was the top digital market based on the percentage of the population that had purchased something by phone, with nearly ** percent having made a weekly mobile purchase. South Korea, Taiwan, and the Philippines completed the top of the ranking.

In 2019, the average inflation rate in Nepal was at 4.62 percent, a slight drop compared to the previous year. The inflation rate is calculated using the price increase of a defined product basket. This product basket contains products and services on which the average consumer spends money throughout the year. They include expenses for groceries, clothes, rent, power, telecommunications, recreational activities, and raw materials (e.g. gas, oil), as well as federal fees and taxes. Political and economic turmoilThe Nepalese economy is heavily influenced by the country’s political situation. It has made only slow progress in connecting with the global economy and improving the standard of living for its inhabitants but is now finally picking up speed. Nepal’s economy is not stable yet: Inflation is decreasing but all over the place – usually a sure sign of a struggling economy – and GDP growth is also not steady and forecast to decrease again in the future. Additionally, Nepal’s trade deficit seems to be in free fall. Move to the cityA quarter of Nepal’s, mostly rural, population is living below the poverty line, but Nepal is working on improving their outlook in the future. Today, agriculture contributes about a third to the country’s GDP, and a sizeable share of commodity exports consists of agricultural products – but already the lion’s share of Nepal’s GDP is generated by the services sector, like tourism and textiles. By shifting GDP generation to services, and consequently creating jobs in the cities and attracting more people to urban areas, Nepal might finally be able to stabilize its economy and provide better living standards for its inhabitants.