Trade analysis

We monitor trends and provide evidence-based analysis to make international trade an engine for sustainable development.

Non-tariff measures (NTMs)

Data, Statistics and Trends in International Trade

Services, Trade and Development

Creative Economy Programme

Trade and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Capacity building for trade policy analysis

Trade Policy for Sustainable and Inclusive Development

Voluntary Sustainability Standards

News

An aerial view of a container vessel leaving port

Shipping data: UNCTAD releases new seaborne trade statistics

Maritime transport moves over 80% of goods traded worldwide. Country-level seaborne trade data is vital for shaping better transport, trade and investment policies.

23 Apr 2025

Farmers dry cocoa beans in Kunsu, Ghana.

Reciprocal tariffs should exclude vulnerable developing economies – UN trade body

Already grappling with low growth and mounting uncertainty, vulnerable and small economies, whose activities have a negligible effect on trade deficits, should be exempt from new tariff hikes.

14 Apr 2025

Women worker packs fruit in Latin America

UN Trade and Development alerts: The poor and the vulnerable risk being overlooked in escalating trade tensions

While the need for trade reform is clear, UNCTAD stresses that the solution must come through dialogue and negotiation. Trade imbalances, concentrated gains and outdated rules must be addressed without sacrificing those least responsible.

4 Apr 2025

Graph showing the tariff rates that exporters face per region

‘Tariff escalation’ keeps developing economies from moving up global value chains

Exporters from developing countries often face higher tariffs on finished goods than on raw materials, discouraging value addition, industrial growth and job creation.

14 Mar 2025

More news

Featured Podcast

The future of trade: Finding balance in a fragmented world

In this episode of The Weekly Tradecast, Luz María de la Mora, Director of UNCTAD’s Trade Division, looks into the complex realities behind today’s trade debates.

View all podcasts

Global Trade Update

This monthly publication provides insight on key trends in world trade. It provides up-to-date analysis on the evolution of imports and exports for different regions and economic sectors, and provides short-term forecasts.

World Tariff Profiles

Jointly produced by the WTO, UNCTAD and the International Trade Centre, this annual report provides comprehensive information on the tariffs and non-tariff measures imposed by over 170 countries and customs territories.

Projects

Improving Pacific Islands Customs and Trade (IMPACT)

Non-tariff measures cost-effectiveness toolkit

PACER Plus transparency and trade portals

AfCFTA support on non-tariff barriers, trade facilitation and intellectual property rights

Recent publications

Trade and development foresights 2025: Under pressure – uncertainty reshapes global economic prospects

Global Trade Update (April 2025): Escalating tariffs – the impact on small and vulnerable economies

Global Trade Update (March 2025): The role of tariffs in international trade

Assessment of organic certification in the ginger value chain in Fiji

The future of sustainable trade: Due diligence initiatives, voluntary sustainability standards and developing countries

Making sense of non-tariff measures: A user’s guide to accessing and analysing the data

More publications

Documents and publications

Trade and development foresights 2025: Under pressure – uncertainty reshapes global economic prospects

UNCTAD/GDS/INF/2025/1 - 16 Apr 2025

English

Global Trade Update (April 2025): Escalating tariffs – the impact on small and vulnerable economies

UNCTAD/DITC/INF/2025/2 - 14 Apr 2025

English

Global Trade Update (March 2025): The role of tariffs in international trade

UNCTAD/DITC/INF/2025/1 - 14 Mar 2025

English

Leveraging multilateral trade rules for the sustainable development objectives of developing countries

TD/B/C.I/60 - 05 Mar 2025

Events and meetings

WTO Public Forum 2024 session: Disability inclusive trade – leveraging digital technologies to make trade work for all

11 September 2024

Geneva, Switzerland

9th Trade Policy Dialogue: What role for special and differential treatment on sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical barriers to trade?

31 January 2024

Online

Contact

For further information on this topic,
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We help developing countries benefit from the global economy more fairly and effectively, providing data and analysis, facilitating consensus-building and offering technical assistance on issues related to trade and development.

We help countries achieve inclusive, sustainable growth by transforming the ambitions of the Sustainable Development Goals into actions that deliver concrete results. Our work focuses on:

We provide reliable and timely data and statistics to help countries better understand trade and development trends and design more effective economic, environmental and social policies.

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Our research and publications provide authoritative and evidence-based analysis on trade and development and policy recommendations to help countries tackle today’s biggest challenges.

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Our meetings and events convene governments, businesses, civil society organizations, academia and international organizations to discuss and build consensus on the most pressing trade and development issues.

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Our technical cooperation helps developing countries better integrate into the global economy by transforming their economies, tackling vulnerabilities, improving competitiveness and empowering people.

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Latest

Trade analysis

We monitor trends and provide evidence-based analysis to make international trade an engine for sustainable development.

Non-tariff measures (NTMs)

Data, Statistics and Trends in International Trade

Services, Trade and Development

Creative Economy Programme

Trade and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Capacity building for trade policy analysis

Trade Policy for Sustainable and Inclusive Development

Voluntary Sustainability Standards

News

Featured Podcast

The future of trade: Finding balance in a fragmented world

Global Trade Update

World Tariff Profiles

Projects

Improving Pacific Islands Customs and Trade (IMPACT)

Non-tariff measures cost-effectiveness toolkit

PACER Plus transparency and trade portals

AfCFTA support on non-tariff barriers, trade facilitation and intellectual property rights

Recent publications

Trade and development foresights 2025: Under pressure – uncertainty reshapes global economic prospects

Global Trade Update (April 2025): Escalating tariffs – the impact on small and vulnerable economies

Global Trade Update (March 2025): The role of tariffs in international trade

Assessment of organic certification in the ginger value chain in Fiji

The future of sustainable trade: Due diligence initiatives, voluntary sustainability standards and developing countries

Making sense of non-tariff measures: A user’s guide to accessing and analysing the data

Documents and publications

Events and meetings

Contact