Global trade continues to grow despite increasing pressure on prices
Global trade expands during the first half of 2026, supported by rising prices for high-tech products, according to the latest version of the report "Modernizing global trade" Issued yesterday, Wednesday, by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
The report indicated that global trade in goods amounted to about 13,700 billion dollars during the first half of 2026, an increase of 12.5% compared to the same period in 2025.
It indicated that trade in services recorded a growth of 10.5%, which added a total of about 2,000 billion dollars to global trade and puts it on track to record an annual record level.
/>He pointed out that a large part of this growth reflects Prices of traded goods rose by about 3.6% during the first quarter, then by about 5% in the second quarter, driven by rising energy prices and some raw materials.
He stated that East Asia imposed itself as a major driver of trade growth during the first quarter, thanks to the strong performance of imports and exports in both China and South Korea, while the rest of the Asian sub-regions recorded a decline in trade.
Africa and the Americas witnessed growth in imports that exceeded growth in exports, and also played a pivotal role in Exchanges "South – South"which contracted among developing economies.
Growth in trade in technological goods
By sector, demand related to artificial intelligence, digital technologies and electric mobility supported strong growth in trade in technological goods, as trade in forest minerals jumped by 38%, semiconductors by 25%, batteries by 15%, ICT products by 14%, and electric cars by 11%.
On the other hand, trade in chemical products, iron and steel declined. and some equipment related to renewable technologies, while fossil fuel trade mainly rose.
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