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TOP TRADERS:
WHICH ARE THE WORLD’S MOST
POPULAR TRADE ROUTES?

In the global marketplace, trade routes are lifelines that connect countries, enabling the movement of goods, services, and ideas. These routes, whether by land, sea, or air, have been the backbone of commerce for centuries. In the era of globalisation, understanding the world's most popular trade routes provides insights into global economic trends, international relations, and the interplay between supply and demand. From the historic Silk Road to the modern shipping lanes of the Pacific, we're exploring the top trade routes that significantly shape our interconnected world.

EXPLORE THE WORLD’S TOP TRADE ROUTES

ALL CALCULATIONS INCLUDE ROAD, AIR AND SEA FREIGHT
HOVER OVER A ROUTE TO DISCOVER MORE

CAN USA MEX FRA NLD DEU CHN KOR JPN TWN HKG VNM AUS #   TRADE ROUTE 1   USA <> CANADA RANK TRADE ROUTE #1 USA <> CANADA TOTAL ROUTE TRADE VALUE ($) $804,238,000,000 AVG. TRANSIT TIME (DAYS) 5 DAYS CO2 EMISSIONS (KILOTONS) 1647 KT % OF PALLETISED GOODS ON ROUTE 56% VALUE OF PALLETISED GOODS ($) $451 BILLION 2   USA <> MEXICO RANK TRADE ROUTE #2 USA <> MEXICO TOTAL ROUTE TRADE VALUE ($) $788,252,000,000 AVG. TRANSIT TIME (DAYS) 14 DAYS CO2 EMISSIONS (KILOTONS) 1647 KT % OF PALLETISED GOODS ON ROUTE 56% VALUE OF PALLETISED GOODS ($) $442 BILLION 3   CHINA <> USA RANK TRADE ROUTE #3 CHINA <> USA TOTAL ROUTE TRADE VALUE ($) $759,387,506,955 AVG. TRANSIT TIME (DAYS) 15 DAYS CO2 EMISSIONS (KILOTONS) 955 KT % OF PALLETISED GOODS ON ROUTE 96% VALUE OF PALLETISED GOODS ($) $733 BILLION 4   USA <> CHINA RANK TRADE ROUTE #4 USA <> CHINA TOTAL ROUTE TRADE VALUE ($) $693,170,000,000 AVG. TRANSIT TIME (DAYS) 15 DAYS CO2 EMISSIONS (KILOTONS) 1647 KT % OF PALLETISED GOODS ON ROUTE 56% VALUE OF PALLETISED GOODS ($) $389 BILLION 5   NETHERLANDS <> GERMANY RANK TRADE ROUTE #5 NETHERLANDS <> GERMANY TOTAL ROUTE TRADE VALUE ($) $387,707,100,000 AVG. TRANSIT TIME (DAYS) 5 DAYS CO2 EMISSIONS (KILOTONS) 27 KT % OF PALLETISED GOODS ON ROUTE 66% VALUE OF PALLETISED GOODS ($) $249 BILLION 6   CHINA <> REP. OF KOREA RANK TRADE ROUTE #6 CHINA <> REP. OF KOREA TOTAL ROUTE TRADE VALUE ($) $788,252,000,000 AVG. TRANSIT TIME (DAYS) 6 DAYS CO2 EMISSIONS (KILOTONS) 955 KT % OF PALLETISED GOODS ON ROUTE 96% VALUE OF PALLETISED GOODS ($) $349 BILLION 7   CHINA <> JAPAN RANK TRADE ROUTE #7 CHINA <> JAPAN TOTAL ROUTE TRADE VALUE ($) $759,387,506,955 AVG. TRANSIT TIME (DAYS) 5 DAYS CO2 EMISSIONS (KILOTONS) 955 KT % OF PALLETISED GOODS ON ROUTE 96% VALUE OF PALLETISED GOODS ($) $345 BILLION 8   CHINA <> TAIWAN RANK TRADE ROUTE #8 CHINA <> TAIWAN TOTAL ROUTE TRADE VALUE ($) $319,594,826,115 AVG. TRANSIT TIME (DAYS) 13 DAYS CO2 EMISSIONS (KILOTONS) 955 KT % OF PALLETISED GOODS ON ROUTE 96% VALUE OF PALLETISED GOODS ($) $308 BILLION 9   CHINA <> HONG KONG RANK TRADE ROUTE #9 CHINA <> HONG KONG TOTAL ROUTE TRADE VALUE ($) $304,819,542,963 AVG. TRANSIT TIME (DAYS) 2 DAYS CO2 EMISSIONS (KILOTONS) 955 KT % OF PALLETISED GOODS ON ROUTE 96% VALUE OF PALLETISED GOODS ($) $294 BILLION 10   CHINA <> VIETNAM RANK TRADE ROUTE #10 CHINA <> VIETNAM TOTAL ROUTE TRADE VALUE ($) $234,676,249,651 AVG. TRANSIT TIME (DAYS) 6 DAYS CO2 EMISSIONS (KILOTONS) 955 KT % OF PALLETISED GOODS ON ROUTE 96% VALUE OF PALLETISED GOODS ($) $226 BILLION 11   USA <> JAPAN RANK TRADE ROUTE #11 USA <> JAPAN TOTAL ROUTE TRADE VALUE ($) $231,299,000,000 AVG. TRANSIT TIME (DAYS) 10 DAYS CO2 EMISSIONS (KILOTONS) 1647 KT % OF PALLETISED GOODS ON ROUTE 56% VALUE OF PALLETISED GOODS ($) $129 BILLION 12   CHINA <> GERMANY RANK TRADE ROUTE #12 CHINA <> GERMANY TOTAL ROUTE TRADE VALUE ($) $$227,621,267,268 AVG. TRANSIT TIME (DAYS) 30 DAYS CO2 EMISSIONS (KILOTONS) 955 KT % OF PALLETISED GOODS ON ROUTE 96% VALUE OF PALLETISED GOODS ($) $219 BILLION 13   FRANCE <> GERMANY RANK TRADE ROUTE #13 FRANCE <> GERMANY TOTAL ROUTE TRADE VALUE ($) $222,660,900,000 AVG. TRANSIT TIME (DAYS) 3 DAYS CO2 EMISSIONS (KILOTONS) 114 KT % OF PALLETISED GOODS ON ROUTE 88% VALUE OF PALLETISED GOODS ($) $195 BILLION 14   USA <> GERMANY RANK TRADE ROUTE #14 USA <> GERMANY TOTAL ROUTE TRADE VALUE ($) $220,794,000,000 AVG. TRANSIT TIME (DAYS) 20 DAYS CO2 EMISSIONS (KILOTONS) 1647 KT % OF PALLETISED GOODS ON ROUTE 56% VALUE OF PALLETISED GOODS ($) $123 BILLION 15   CHINA <> AUSTRALIA RANK TRADE ROUTE #15 CHINA <> AUSTRALIA TOTAL ROUTE TRADE VALUE ($) $220,621,941,289 AVG. TRANSIT TIME (DAYS) 26 DAYS CO2 EMISSIONS (KILOTONS) 955 KT % OF PALLETISED GOODS ON ROUTE 96% VALUE OF PALLETISED GOODS ($) $213 BILLION

THE WORLD’S 10 MOST POPULAR TRADE ROUTES

# ROUTE TOTAL ROUTE
TRADE VALUE ($)		 AVG. TRANSIT
TIME (DAYS)		 CO2 EMISSIONS
(KILOTONS)		 % OF PALLETISED
GOODS ON ROUTE		 TOTAL VALUE
OF GOODS ($)
1 USA <> CANADA $804,238,000,000 5 DAYS 1647 56% $451 BILLION
2 USA <> MEXICO $788,252,000,000 14 DAYS 1647 56% $442 BILLION
3 CHINA <> USA $759,387,506,955 15 DAYS 955 96% $733 BILLION
4 USA <> CHINA $693,170,000,000 15 DAYS 1647 56% $389 BILLION
5 NETHERLANDS <> GERMANY $387,707,100,000 5 DAYS 27 66% $249 BILLION
6 CHINA <> REP. OF KOREA $788,252,000,000 6 DAYS 955 96% $349 BILLION
7 CHINA <> JAPAN $759,387,506,955 5 DAYS 955 96% $345 BILLION
8 CHINA <> TAIWAN $319,594,826,115 13 DAYS 955 96% $308 BILLION
9 CHINA <> HONG KONG $304,819,542,963 2 DAYS 955 96% $294 BILLION
10 CHINA <> VIETNAM $234,676,249,651 6 DAYS 955 96% $226 BILLION

THE UK’S TOP 10 TRADE ROUTES

# TRADE ROUTE TOTAL VALUE OF GOODS (£)
1 UK <> USA £118,996,000,000
2 UK <> GERMANY £103,940,000,000
3 UK <> CHINA £97,863,000,000
4 UK <> NETHERLANDS £92,588,000,000
5 UK <> FRANCE £61,404,000,000

6 UK <> IRELAND £49,294,000,000

7 UK <> BELGIUM £48,726,000,000

8 UK <> NORWAY £48,504,000,000

9 UK <> ITALY £33,176,000,000

10 UK <> SWITZERLAND £29,159,000,000

GLOBAL COMMERCE IN MOTION

Dive deeper into the world's most vital trade routes. From the bustling trade between the USA and Canada, to the intricate web of commerce connecting China with the rest of Asia, these routes shape our global economic landscape. What's more, they reflect the ecological cost of trade, as seen in the CO2 emissions data, reminding us of the environmental implications that accompany our globalised world.

Trade isn't just a matter of economics; it's a story of cultures, geographies, and histories intertwining. Take a moment to consider the USA-Canada route, where goods worth $804 billion travel across borders, or the China-USA route, which sees an impressive 96% of palletised goods in transit. These are not just routes, but lifelines that connect economies and foster mutual growth.

Let's take a moment to appreciate the dynamic trade landscape of the UK. As an influential player in global trade, the UK's top routes reveal its strong ties with countries like the USA, Germany, and China. Note the significant trade value with Germany (£103,940,000,000), a fellow European country. This is indicative of the UK's resilience and adaptability in maintaining robust trade links post-Brexit. As we explore these routes, we delve into the heart of the UK's trade narrative, one of ambition, resilience, and ingenuity.

Conclusion - Unveiling the world's most bustling trade routes, we see a vivid illustration of global commerce in motion. The United States and Canada hold the fort as the top trading partners, highlighting their interconnected economies and geographical proximity. Intriguingly, despite the challenges of Brexit, the UK's trade with the European Union remains substantial, with the value of goods exported to the EU from the UK reaching 15.2 billion British pounds as of March 2023, compared with 26.1 billion pounds of goods imported1. This trade map underscores the power of economic relationships and provides a fascinating insight into the mechanics of global trade. The question is, how will these routes evolve as our world continues to change? Only time will tell.

#1
USA <> CANADA
$804 billion

#2
USA <> MEXICO
$788 billion

#3
CHINA <> USA
$759 billion

METHODOLOGY

International trade data for each of the countries was gathered from the relevant country’s economics and statistics office, to help identify their busiest trade routes. The value of international trade between two countries i.e. value of imports and value of exports was then determined as a function of trade partners.

For each route, data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) was used to ascertain the CO2 emissions against each route. Whilst average transit time was estimated from source to destination, with pallet weight in mind.

The palletised value was estimated as a fraction of the total trade value and recorded for each country. The trade value of goods that require pallets was then calculated by multiplying the average percentage value and the total trade value for each route.

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