Market watchers who bet on a post-pandemic commodities supercycle are looking like the smart money. Resurgent demand chasing short supply is driving prices to premium levels across global markets. Among the hottest sectors, metals saw prices take off from March lows...
Global Trade Data: Perennial Mainstay of Peak Shipping, Toy Manufacturers and Importers Face Headwinds
After flat sales growth in 2022, toy manufacturers and importers bet on lean inventories in the 2023 run-up to the year-end holiday gift-giving season, Descartes Datamyne trade data shows. Changing consumer tastes and inflation’s toll on household budgets encouraged...
Global Trade Data: Reshoring Semiconductor Supply Chains Easier Said Than Done
Top importing and exporting countries in the semiconductor supply chain network are rolling out incentives to make more chips at home, while tightening controls on sharing chip technologies abroad. Descartes Datamyne trade data helps clarify what’s at stake and who...
Global Trade Data Confirms Seasonal Shift in How we are Stocking up for the Year-End Holidays
Descartes Datamyne global trade data shows merchandise imports cresting in May for the second year in a row, well ahead of the traditional August-October peak shipping season. Consumers are expected to spend more on holiday shopping, but they are spending earlier on...
Global Trade Data Shows Rush for Lithium-Ion Batteries Rerouting Supply Chains
As national governments supercharge the drive toward electrification, the scramble to secure supplies of Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) batteries is fueling major investments in mines, factories, and R&D. Global trade data is capturing signs of shifting cross-border supply...
Supply Diversity Is Key to Global Trading System Resilience: IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is calling for more diversity in global value chains as a means to boost supply chain resilience. Meanwhile, Descartes Datamyne trade data confirms the point that diversification reduces losses to supply disruptions. Moreover, our...
Address the Global Shipping Crisis by Leveraging Automation and Trade Intelligence
The Covid-19 pandemic has played havoc with global trade flows, as consumers have displayed an increased need for goods while manufacturing struggles to meet demand. The system for moving those products has been under unprecedented stress for months, and its weak...
Global Trade Trend: Steep Surge in Holiday Toy Shipments Help Keep U.S. Import Volume at Near Record Highs
Surging imports into the U.S. towards the end of the year typically ring up holiday cheer for distributors, retailers and other businesses. But with many ports, especially those along the western seaboard, experiencing severe and sustained congestion, higher volumes...
Global Trade Data: Rising Demand for Furniture Frustrated by Supply Chain Woes
When COVID-19 shut down retail outlets, sales inevitably faltered. Then stuck-at-home consumers decided to redecorate – or move on and furnish someplace new – and orders for furniture surged. Sales are better than expected, but less than they might have been had...
U.S. Automakers Ponder Supply Chain Resiliency Strategy as Chips Crunch Chokes Assembly Lines
Global shortages of automotive semiconductors have forced car manufacturers to shut down assembly lines and mull supply chain resiliency strategies to prevent further disruptions over the long term. Now the Biden Administration, as part of its review of key U.S....