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The global freight forwarding market is expected to increase in real terms by 2.9% this year, according to Ti Insight’s latest Global Freight Forwarding report
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The GFF is seen to reach a market value of €213,721.4 million
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Growth in the sector is driven by steady increases in both sea and air freight forwarding, which are projected to grow by 3.1% and 2.8%, respectively
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In addition, emerging markets showed robust growth
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AI-related products such as semiconductors, servers and telecommunications equipment also saw a sharp increase
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AI-related goods accounted for almost half of global trade growth in the first half of the year
The global freight forwarding market is expected to increase in real terms by 2.9% this year and reach a market value of €213,721.4 million, according to the latest Ti Insight Global Freight Forwarding report released this week.
Growth in the sector is driven by steady increase in both sea and air freight forwarding, which are projected to grow by 3.1% and 2.8%, respectively, Ti Insight said in its Mid-year Freight Forwarding Market Size and Forecasts.
The key drivers of air and ocean freight demand, including global trade volumes and export activity, strengthened in 2025 due to various macroeconomic factors.
The report cited the International Monetary Fund’s upward revision to the growth forecast, with global economic expansion now expected to moderate to 3.2% in 2025.
Among the main influencing factors were the United States government’s announcement in April of extensive tariffs that were to take effect later in the year. This disruption in established global trade norms prompted businesses to speed up trade activities, rushing to front-load shipments ahead of the higher tariffs.
READ: US tariff disruption, volatility continue to impact air freight market in Q3 2025
Ti Insights also cited the World Trade Organization (WTO) report that global merchandise trade growth for the year has been revised upwards to 2.4% from 0.9% in August.
“This improvement reflects several supportive factors that include the frontloading of imports in North America ahead of anticipated United States tariff increases, the effects of disinflation and supportive fiscal policies, solid growth momentum across emerging markets, and a sharp rise in trade in AI-related goods,” the logistics and supply chain market research/analysis company said in its report.
Artificial intelligence-related products – such as semiconductors, servers and telecommunications equipment – were particularly influential, accounting for almost half of global trade growth throughout the first half of the year, according to WTO.
The value of trade in AI goods rose by 20% year-on-year, with Asia and Africa expected to record the fastest export growth in 2025.
In addition, emerging markets showed robust growth.
“For instance, agricultural production surged in Brazil; in China, fiscal support helped offset headwinds from trade tensions and property-market weakness; in India, growth in the GDP (growth domestic product) deflator declined sharply; and in Indonesia, investment recorded a notable rebound,” the report said.
These dynamics, the report said, “collectively influenced global trade flows, shaping demand conditions in the air and sea freight forwarding market throughout 2025.”
READ: Global freight forwarding market to contract by 1.1% in 2025
