I remember the first time I really felt the scope of what “global trade” meant many years ago. I was dealing with a late night logistics call that involved the usual chaos – cargo booking, customs clearance, ship ETA changes, and route changes.
And at that moment it hit me that someone was leaning on it somewhere that A vessel to reach in time.. to nourish, to build, to create.. that call was a tiny thread in a tapestry of hundreds of thousands of such threads..
This year, global trade is on track to surpass $35 trillion. According to UNCTAD’s 2025 end-of-year update, trade flows in goods and services will add almost US$2.2 trillion compared to last year, representing a 7 percent increase, despite the slowdown.
It’s not just a number on a spreadsheet. It’s the sum of millions of decisions.. orders placed, cargo booked, containers loaded, ships shipped, trucks shipped, documents cleared..
Every transaction, big or small, contributes to a vast and vibrant ecosystem that spans continents, industries and cultures.
When I think of that $35 trillion, I don’t think about abstract economies or financial markets.. I think about people.. about trust.. about reliability..
I think of a freight forwarder in Nairobi beating the odds to get fresh produce to Europe.. a port planner in Singapore coordinating docks.. a truck driver in Latin America navigating border checkpoints.. an electronics factory in East Asia changing production lines to meet new demand.
Together they keep the world moving.
The latest UNCTAD data shows that most of the growth in 2025 will come from volume, with goods trade at around US$1.5 trillion, while services will add almost US$750 billion.
This means more products shipped, more services facilitated, not just more expensive items. This is a real confirmation that global supply chains are alive and connected.
The geography of this growth also tells a story. Profits are generated not only by traditional centers, but also significantly by regions such as East Asia, Africa, and growing South-South trade networks.
This is important because it means that opportunity is expanding. It means the effect is more pervasive. This means that more and more communities around the world are connected to this global rhythm.
Even sectors leading growth reflect transformation. Manufacturing, especially electronics, remains the driving force, while legacy sectors such as energy and automotive lag behind.
The world is exchanging the things that make up our present and future: technology, parts, finished goods and services, not just raw materials.
Does all this guarantee smooth movement..??
No, UNCTAD itself warns that challenges remain: rising costs, economic headwinds in many regions, geopolitical uncertainty.
But this is the truth that I adhere to. We are part of something extraordinary in the industry. Not because we ship containers or archive documents, but because every day we help the wheels of global progress turn.
When trade crosses $35 trillion, it’s not just economies that win, but people, industries and livelihoods across continents.
So yes, I am proud.. I am proud to be a part of this vast, complex, chaotic and beautiful ecosystem..
We are proud to see how countless moving parts come together in harmony, across borders and time zones, to deliver what is often taken for granted – goods on shelves, parts in factories, sustainable livelihoods, active futures.
If you work somewhere in this ecosystem, planning, shipping, financing, clearing, distribution, know this, you are not just part of the supply chain.. you are part of a global lifeline.. and that is something to be proud of.
related
About the Author
