I remember the first time years ago when I truly felt the scope of what “global trade” meant.. I was dealing with a late-night logistics call, which included the usual chaos – cargo bookings, customs clearances, a vessel ETA change, and rerouting..
And in that moment, it hit me that someone, somewhere, is relying on that container to arrive on time.. To feed, to build, to create.. That call was one small thread in a tapestry of hundreds of thousands of such threads..
This year, global trade is on course to surpass US$35 trillion.. According to UNCTAD’s year-end update for 2025, trade flows in goods and services will add roughly US$2.2 trillion over last year, representing a 7% increase, despite slowing momentum.
That isn’t just a number in a spreadsheet.. That is the sum of millions of decisions.. Orders placed, cargo booked, containers loaded, ships sailing, trucks dispatched, documents cleared..
Each transaction, big or small, contributes to a massive, living ecosystem that spans continents, industries, and cultures..
When I think about that $35 trillion, I don’t think of abstract economies or financial markets.. I think about people.. About trust.. About reliability..
I think of the freight forwarder in Nairobi who beats the odds to get fresh produce to Europe.. The port planner in Singapore is coordinating berths.. The truck driver in Latin America is navigating border checkpoints.. The electronics factory in East Asia is switching production lines to meet new demand..
Together, they keep the world moving..
UNCTAD’s latest data shows that much of the 2025 growth comes from volume, of which goods trade contributed about US$1.5 trillion, while services added roughly US$750 billion..
That means more products shipped, more services facilitated, not just costlier items. It’s a real affirmation that global supply chains remain alive and relevant.
The geography of this growth also tells a story.. Gains are being powered not only by traditional hubs, but significantly by regions like East Asia, Africa, and growing South–South trade networks..
That matters because it means opportunity is spreading.. It means impact is more inclusive.. It means more communities worldwide are plugged into this global rhythm..
Even the sectors leading growth reflect a transformation.. Manufacturing, especially electronics, remains a driving force, while legacy sectors such as energy and automotive lag behind..
The world is exchanging more of what builds our present and future: technology, parts, finished goods, and services, not just raw materials..
Does all of this guarantee smooth sailing ahead..??
No, UNCTAD itself warns that challenges remain: rising costs, economic headwinds in many regions, geopolitical uncertainty..
But here’s the truth I hold on to.. We in the industry are part of something extraordinary.. Not because we ship containers or file documents, but because, every day, we help keep the wheels of global progress turning..
When trade crosses $35 trillion, it isn’t just economies that win, it’s people, industries, and livelihoods across continents..
So yes, I’m proud.. Proud to be part of this sprawling, complex, messy, beautiful ecosystem..
Proud to see how countless moving parts come together in harmony, across borders and time zones, to deliver what often gets taken for granted – goods on shelves, components in factories, livelihoods sustained, futures enabled..
If you are working somewhere in this ecosystem, planning, transporting, financing, clearing, distributing, know this, you are not just part of supply chains.. You are part of a global lifeline.. And that is something worth being proud of..
