10 maggiori esportatori nel mondo

Commodities travel quickly between borders such as food and drink, electronics, automobiles, chemicals, machinery, and such flows determine global sway. Global trade leaders, investors, analysts, and companies know who the biggest exporters in the world are to comprehend trade dynamics, supply chain power, and export market share.

This article goes deeper into country export rankings, export value, top export products, and shifting patterns of trade. You'll find out who the world's leading exporters are, what they export, whom they export to, and who's emerging as a rising power. If you work in international shipping and trade, policy, finance, or business, this guide provides insight into how world trade leadership is changing.

In 2024, the world exported about US $24.43 trillion of goods across borders. That's a 2 percentage increase from the year before but don't confuse that with Roaring Growth. Most of it was from more expensive prices, not actual growth in the amount of products moved. The World Trade Organization (WTO) verifies world trade volume gains were relatively soft. On the services front, exports earned US $8.69 trillion, which helped mitigate the slowdown in goods.

But the future is not so bright. The WTO export data forecasts a slight decline in world trade report in 2025, by 0.2%, thanks to tightened export policies, supply chain reconfigurations, and a volatile geopolitical environment. All that said, in 2026, things are expected to balance out some, with predictions for 2.5% growth in merchandise exports and 4.1% in services. The rebound will not be universal. Hence, nations that are highly linked to high-technology products, electronic commerce, and energy exports could recover quickly, whereas other countries that are linked to basic materials could fall behind.

For sourcing teams and international companies, that translates into forward planning, closely monitoring demand signals, and being responsive with procurement strategies. International trade is not in decline forever but the game rules are changing.

A top exporting country by value isn’t just shipping goods out the door, it’s commanding flow, scale, and demand through global markets. These countries with highest exports levels have developed strong export infrastructure, deep industrial capacity and close integration into global supply chains. That spot doesn’t happen overnight. It takes decades of investment into manufacturing ecosystems, logistics networks and trade policy.

Their top competitors dominate in areas like electronics, petroleum products, chemicals, autos, and clothing. Those markets with huge global demand and ongoing procurement requirements. Think China as the top exporter of electronics and machinery, Germany with automotive and engineering machinery, or the US with aerospace and services. These exporting powerhouses and world's largest exporting nations aren’t just selling commodities, they’re setting price, supply, and even the strategic sourcing decisions of thousands of global companies.

From a procurement standpoint, trading with or sourcing from top exporting countries means better lead times, secure supply, and scalable relationships. But it also means monitoring trade realignments, tariffs, and regional disruptions that can impact cost bases or supply continuity.

Global exports aren’t just numbers. They are the leading export economies, tilt negotiations, and influence supply chains. If you’re in the business of trade, sourcing, or procurement, knowing the largest exporting countries is a tactical knowledge. Here are the top 10 exporters in the world:

1. China

No surprises when everything is made in China. China's export economy remains the world's top exporter, shipping more than US, with $3.58 trillion in goods in 2024. It's not merely the economy of cheap labor, but an expression of ingrained infrastructure, efficient logistics, and experienced supplier networks. Whether smartphones or heavy equipment, China's got it in all tiers. It also leads in low-margin, high-volume segments such as clothing and furniture and rising rapidly in high-tech components and EVs. Its largest customers? The U.S., EU, Southeast Asia, and Japan. Mainland China's not only exporting. It's leading the charge on how fast and cheaply world supply chains can flow.

2. United States

As the world's second largest exporter, the U.S. doesn't merely consume, it exports large, with US $3.19 trillion worth of goods and services departing in 2024. Aerospace, pharmaceuticals, vehicles, software, and heavy industrial machinery take the lead. What gives U.S. exports strength isn't merely volume but it's value. American imported products tend to hold lead or key export destinations in world markets. North America export leaders remain tightly integrated through trade agreements and exports with Canada and Mexico, and connections with Europe and partners in the Indo-Pacific continue to grow stronger. When consumers seek leading-edge, compliant, and resilient, they tend to turn westward.

3. Germany

Germany remains Europe's industrial cornerstone. Exports amounted to approximately US $1.95 trillion, led by engineering, automobiles, medical technology, and machinery. Precision production is its calling card and the world has taken notice. Whether it's a Volkswagen engine or Siemens industrial system, German products are constructed to last, and that's a marketing ploy customers pay for. In the face of energy cost constraints and changing EU geopolitics, Germany's capacity to remain competitive through high-quality production maintains it among the leaders in global exports.

4. United Kingdom

The UK post-Brexit has redefined the way it plays the global trade game. It's also recognizes as Europe's biggest exporter. It's heavily leaning into pharmaceuticals, processed metals, specialized equipment, and energy with US $1.12 trillion in exports in 2023. Gold, jet engines, and gas turbines feature among its largest physical exports, with services, particularly in finance and technology, broadening the country's export base further. The UK is aggressively diversifying beyond the EU, doubling down on trade arrangements with Commonwealth nations and the U.S. It's not growing by volume of output, it's growing by specialization.

Understanding who leads global exports can reshape your sourcing strategy. This guide breaks down the top exporters worldwide. Want access to suppliers in these regions? Sign up on Torg to connect directly with verified manufacturers and unlock better deals across global markets.

5. France

France exported approximately US $1.07 trillion worth of exports during the previous year. The export composition of the country is a combination of heavy industry and luxury. Multi-million-dollar items include Airbus planes, high-speed rail parts, valves used in industry, and nuclear technology. Wine, cheese, cosmetics, and fashion, categories in which French names possess international value, are also big-ticket items. France's position as a leading exporter is guaranteed by its double strength: technical know-how in high-tech industries and unchallenged supremacy in lifestyle and luxury products.

6. Netherlands

The Netherlands demonstrates that economic brawn is not a matter of landmass. It's one of the world's leading export nations, with more than US $1.03 trillion worth of exports in 2024. Rotterdam, the busiest port in Europe, is not a mere stopover; it's the structural pillar of Europe's supply chain. A big portion of Dutch exports indeed consist of transit trade (goods going through to other EU markets), but the domestic economy still generates serious value. The top manufacturing exporter ships out high-demand goods such as chemicals, foodstuffs, medical technology, and semiconductor components. Its integrated transportation infrastructure and effective customs and trade policies mean that it is an integral cog of the global logistics system.

7. Singapore

Singapore steps in line with care and so do its exports. In 2024, the city-state exported products close to US $978 billion of goods and services, pulled by a couple of heavy hitters: semiconductors, refined oil, biotech, and high-end electronics. But what makes Singapore competitive isn't so much what it sends out but how it sends it. The nation's digital landscape, trade-first mentality, and close regional ties have made it the data and digital trade hub of Southeast Asia. It may be tiny, but it is extremely efficient, and its function within the international supply chain extends far beyond the physical.

8. Japan

Japan's exports stood at about US $922 billion in 2024, but figures are not everything. Japan is exporting trust, particularly in auto, industrial robots, precision machinery, and electronics. Its reputation for years of quality production and painstaking engineering has built it high export demand in the likes of the U.S., China, and Southeast Asia. Japan also exports chemicals and transport equipment, with consistent demand in more than one region. In a changing world economy, Japan's long-standing trade networks and reputation for reliability provide it with staying power.

9. South Korea

In 2024, South Korea's export value was approximately US $835 billion, led by technology. Ponder semiconductors, OLED screens, consumer electronics, and car tech. South Korea produces the hardware the world operates on. Its worldwide influence is honed by behemoth brands such as Samsung, Hyundai, and LG, which excel in both innovation and volume. Its nearness to China and robust commerce connections with the West make it a critical link within the global manufacturing supply chain of today. It's not merely a tech player but a keystone of world production.

10. India

India exported US $822 billion in 2024, and it's gaining momentum. This is not about a single blockbuster product, it's about variety. India dominates pharmaceuticals, refined petroleum, software services, textiles, gems, and auto parts. With skilled workers, low costs of production, and a thriving tech industry, the country is a growing star in international trade. While manufacturers seek out a replacement for China, India is rising up the shortlist. Trade deals, logistics modernization, and digital policy changes are making it a more stable, long-term figure in the global supply chain.

A silent shake-up is underway in world trade, and these emerging exporting countries are smack in the middle of it.

Mexico, for example, is no longer merely an American manufacturing back office—it shipped almost US $680 billion worth of goods in 2024, and a huge portion of that was in automotive exports. With factories churning out everything from wiring assemblies to complete vehicle assemblies, Mexico is now head-to-head competing with Europe and China in the automotive industry. Its trump card? An efficient supply chain, beneficial trade agreements, and proximity to the U.S. consumer base.

Vietnam and Malaysia are meanwhile establishing themselves in the electronics and chemical industries. These countries are also becoming two of Asia's largest exporters. In Vietnam, large tech companies keep opening up shops, employing the nation as a backup base to China for smartphones, semiconductors, and hardware parts. The cost of labor is lower, and its young, educated population is drawing in more FDI annually. Malaysia is doing the same, particularly with electronics and industrial chemicals, and it's heavily shifting towards high-tech manufacturing with government incentives and infrastructure to support.

As supply chains realign in response to geopolitical uncertainty and increasing costs in China, Southeast Asia is gaining momentum. These new exporters aren't merely filling the gaps because global value chains are being rewritten, and new buying options aren't available today that weren't ten years ago.

Global exports are evolving but some weighty categories are still steady. Electronics, machinery, and vehicles are still dominating the leaderboard. China remains supreme in electronics and industrial machinery due to its gigantic manufacturing ecosystem and good export logistics. South Korea and Germany continue to hold their positions for global car manufacturing and high-tech chips such as semiconductors. Their engineering depth and solid brand reputation leave it difficult to replace them.

Textiles and pharmaceuticals have a different tale to tell. India and Bangladesh have established niches in these industries, India with its red-hot generic drug manufacturing, and Bangladesh with low-budget, high-volume garment exports that feed big fashion retailers. These nations are emerging as more strategic players, particularly as brands look to diversify sourcing beyond China.

But product exports aren't the only play anymore. Services are quick to catch up. Global commercial services exports rose to US $8.69 trillion by 2024, up nearly 9% year on year, as reported by the WTO. This covers items such as software, digital media, consulting, and financial services. The world is shifting towards trade that isn't necessarily physical such as code, content, and platforms being equally valuable as cargo in containers.

The larger trend in play? Nations are no longer characterized by a single export category. Supply chains are being reconfigured. Nations are spreading out what they make and how they distribute it, mixing hard goods with intangible services, established industries with new technology. Export growth now hinges on adaptability, velocity, and the capacity to reach global markets on and off physical borders.

A trading partner is a country or region with which another country regularly conducts imports and exports. These relationships are influenced by economic alliances, geopolitical factors, trade agreements, and supply chain dependencies.

Strong trade partnerships promote economic growth, reduce costs, and improve access to raw materials, technology, and consumer goods.

United States:

• Top Export Partners: Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, Germany
• Top Import Partners: China, Mexico, Canada, Germany, Vietnam

China:

• Top Export Partners: United States, ASEAN, EU, India, Australia
• Top Import Partners: EU, Japan, South Korea, U.S., Brazil

European Union:

• Top Export Partners: U.S., UK, China, Switzerland
• Top Import Partners: China, U.S., Russia, Norway

India:

• Top Export Partners: U.S., UAE, Netherlands, China, Bangladesh
• Top Import Partners: China, UAE, U.S., Saudi Arabia, Iraq

Multiple factors shape the strength and direction of trade relationships between countries. These include formal trade agreements, geopolitical dynamics, economic policies, infrastructure, currency stability, and supply chain interdependence. As the global economy becomes more interconnected—yet more volatile—these elements continue to evolve, prompting nations to reassess and adapt their trade strategies.

Building on these influencing factors, several key trends are now redefining global trade relationships:

• Friendshoring: Nations are increasingly sourcing from politically aligned countries to reduce risks.
• Regionalization: More trade is occurring within regions (e.g., Asia-Asia, EU-EU) due to rising freight costs and instability.
• Decoupling: U.S.–China trade tension has led to partial decoupling, with both nations seeking alternative partners.
• Sustainable Trade: Countries are prioritizing partners with strong environmental, labor, and ethical standards.

As global trade becomes more dynamic and competitive, developing effective export strategies is critical for countries and companies seeking to expand their international presence. At the same time, export competitiveness—the ability to sell goods and services effectively in foreign markets—is shaped by a mix of internal capabilities and external trade conditions.

Market Research and Selection

Choosing the right market is the foundation of any successful export strategy. Exporters need to move beyond guesswork and rely on in-depth research to identify high-potential countries or regions. This involves analyzing trade data, growth forecasts, consumer behavior, and local regulations. Markets with growing demand, favorable trade agreements, and minimal barriers often provide the best opportunities. Understanding the competitive landscape in each market also helps companies tailor their approach and avoid costly missteps.

Product Adaptation and Compliance

Once a target market is selected, the next step is to ensure that the product fits local expectations and complies with regional standards. Exporting isn’t just about selling the same product abroad—it often requires modifications to meet legal, cultural, and technical requirements. This could include adjusting ingredients, changing packaging, meeting safety certifications, or even altering branding. Companies that invest in product localization are more likely to build trust and customer loyalty in new markets.

Pricing and Positioning Strategy

Effective pricing is a delicate balance between remaining competitive and preserving profit margins. Exporters must consider factors such as tariffs, transportation costs, local taxes, and currency exchange rates when determining their pricing strategy. In some cases, businesses may use penetration pricing to enter a new market, while in others, they may position themselves as premium brands. Understanding the purchasing power and expectations of the target audience plays a crucial role in setting the right price point.

Distribution and Logistics

Choosing the right distribution model is another critical aspect of exporting. Companies must decide whether to sell directly to customers, partner with local distributors, or establish joint ventures. In recent years, e-commerce and digital marketplaces have opened new doors for exporters, making it easier to reach international buyers without traditional intermediaries. Regardless of the approach, ensuring timely delivery, supply chain transparency, and strong after-sales support can significantly impact long-term success.

Trade Finance and Risk Management

Financing is often a major hurdle for exporters, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). To support cross-border transactions, businesses must explore trade finance tools such as letters of credit, invoice factoring, and export credit insurance. These instruments help reduce the risk of non-payment and improve cash flow. Working with trade finance institutions, including export-import banks and private lenders, ensures that exporters can manage both financial and political risks effectively.

The Economic Complexity Index (ECI) is a powerful analytical tool used to measure the knowledge intensity and productive capabilities of an economy. Developed by researchers at the MIT Media Lab and Harvard’s Center for International Development, the ECI ranks countries based on the diversity and complexity of the products they export. It offers a clearer picture of a country’s economic structure than traditional metrics like GDP alone.

The ECI evaluates two key aspects of a country’s exports:

1. Diversity – How many different products a country exports.
2. Ubiquity – How many other countries are capable of exporting the same products.

A high ECI score indicates that a country exports a wide range of complex products that few other nations can produce. This suggests that the country possesses deep industrial knowledge, advanced capabilities, and specialized skills. Conversely, countries that rely heavily on a narrow range of low-complexity exports—such as raw materials or basic agricultural products—tend to rank lower on the index.

The ECI uses a network-based approach, analyzing the relationships between countries and the products they export. This is often visualized in the Product Space, a network that maps how products are related based on the knowledge required to make them. Countries that produce and export goods located in more densely connected areas of the product space are considered more complex.

The formula takes into account:

• The number of products a country exports competitively
• The number of countries that export each of those products
• The interconnectedness of those products in the global product space

Digital trade is one of the fastest-growing exporters of global commerce. We’re not talking about shipping boxes anymore. Countries are now exporting code, algorithms, and platforms. And the ones winning big? They’ve invested heavily in IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital services.

The US, for instance, leads in software, streaming, AI tools, and cloud services. India has established a firm position with IT outsourcing, SaaS firms, and fintech offerings. These digital exports aren't warehoused or dependent on shipping routes. They scale immediately and reach worldwide users overnight.

Cross-border e-commerce is another significant catalyst. Alibaba, Amazon, Shopify, and Mercado Libre have made it easy for SMEs and large brands to operate smooth international storefronts. Nations that facilitate quick payment gateways, digital customs clearing, and efficient last-mile logistics are taking the lead.

Even old-fashioned exporters are changing their ways. Consider South Korea exporting K-pop material and mobile games all over the globe, or Estonia franchising out digital government services. Those are actual exports without a single shipping container in sight.

Digital trade lowers the barrier for entry into global markets. But it demands speed, export-import data infrastructure, and digital trust. If your systems lag or your cybersecurity is weak, you’ll lose ground fast. The countries leading in this space are those that treat digital trade like serious business, not a future maybe.

Asia remains the behemoth. In 2023 alone, China shipped more than $3.39 trillion worth of goods across borders. It's no wonder that China's supply chain network is huge, swift, and ruthlessly efficient. But it doesn't stop there. Vietnam, South Korea, India, and Japan are all rising. They've invested in factory scale, port capacity, and top trade partners that keep the goods moving.

Europe remains robust as well. Total regional exports in 2024 reached $2.80 trillion. High-end industrial equipment and automobile manufacturing keep Germany at the top. The UK and France maintain their positions in pharmaceuticals, aerospace, and high-end consumer goods. The Netherlands, however, overperforms as a logistics and agricultural export center. The regulatory coherence of the EU and its crowded rail/port matrix are advantages.

North America is another matter. The U.S., Canada, and Mexico make up a potent export corridor due to USMCA, but the pressure is mounting. If tariffs increase in 2025, particularly with U.S.–China tensions or policy changes due to elections, North American exports might fall by over 12%. That's a hard punch. Exporters there are already reassessing supply chains and looking at nearshoring to insulate against risk.

In short: Asia leads by size and velocity. Europe excels by accuracy and supply-chain management. North America possesses power, but it is riding significant headwinds. International exporters must get used to moving quickly or risk being left behind.

Scaling exports isn't becoming simpler. Indeed, 2025 is already turning out to be among the most volatile years on record for international trade. This is what's holding exporters back:

Trade Policy Whiplash

The international trade statistics indicate a forecast of 0.2% decline in world merchandise trade in 2025. Why? Tariffs keep surfacing, going away, and surfacing again in new guise. Exporters are having to adjust long-term plans every time trade policy fluctuates with an election or geopolitical development.

Revenue Shock Ahead

A wide-ranging survey indicates 42% of exporters anticipate losing business in 2025. That's no minor blip—it totals a worldwide deficit of $305 billion. Exports-dependent economies such as Germany are particularly vulnerable, with close to 4 out of 10 exporters foreseeing a financial setback.

Germany's Fragile Position

Germany, usually the pillar of European exports, is facing a hurricane. 39% of German exporters indicate that they're gearing up for a decline in profits. With sectors such as automotive and machinery so heavily dependent on seamless trade, even small perturbations ripple quickly.

Geopolitical Headwinds

Enduring tensions between large economies—think U.S.–China, EU–Russia, India–China—are rendering cross-border transactions more difficult and less safe. Sanctions, export restrictions, and changing blocs are entering into day-to-day logistics planning.

Supply Chain Cracks

Port congestion, material shortages, and increased freight rates haven't disappeared. Exporters continue to face shipping delays, unreliable supplier performance, and higher warehousing costs.

Tariff Volatility

New tariffs can destroy price competitiveness in an overnight move. A single misstep by a central government and whole categories of products fall out of favor with key markets.

In the end, leading exporters are trapped in uncertainty and pressure. It is more difficult to forecast, margins are narrower, and flexibility needs to be prioritized more than ever before.

The world of global exports is transforming quickly—and it won't be slowing down. Here's what's driving the change:

Green Exports

As governments push more aggressively on decarbonization targets, low-carbon goods are in increasing demand. Sharp jumps are expected in solar panels, electric vehicle batteries, clean-tech parts, and recyclable materials. Exporters in these fields will command serious clout in trade talks.

Digital Trade

From cloud software to AI tools, digital products have become significant export goods. Those with robust IP protections and digital infrastructure (such as the US, Singapore, and portions of the EU) are reaping the rewards. Logistics companies and customs systems are being revamped to manage non-physical products.

E-commerce Keeps Disrupting

Middlemen are being replaced by direct-to-consumer exports through websites such as Alibaba, Amazon, and TikTok Shop. Midsize and small exporters now bypass traditional intermediaries and create global customers overnight. Cross-border logistics, tax compliance, and payment in real-time are the new battlefields.

Tariff Volatility

Trade agreements are in transition. The U.S.–China competition, EU carbon tariffs, and regional agreements such as RCEP and AfCFTA are compelling exporters to reconsider supply chains and sourcing. Companies diversifying trading partners are better placed.

South–South Trade

Emerging markets are trading with one another more. Brazil–India, Vietnam–Kenya, Turkey–South Africa, these regional-to-regional flows are becoming the norm. It's no longer a question of exporting to the West; it's about finding value in peer markets.

High-Growth Industries

Export competitiveness is no longer about volume. It's about innovation. Industries leading the next wave are:

• Electric Vehicles (EVs) and battery technology
• Biotech and medical research exports
• Smart manufacturing equipment
• Renewable energy parts
• Specialty foods and agritech products

Those exporters who fall in line with these trends won't only survive, they'll thrive.

Major global exporters and world's largest importers aren't merely exporting and importing goods because they're shaping the course of the world economy. Nations such as China, Germany, the U.S., and now more so India and Vietnam, play key roles in how international supply chains flow. They set trade trends not just by what they export, but how they transform. Electronics, autos, heavy machines, and chemicals continue to dominate in terms of volume, but service and digital exports are rising rapidly.

In the face of increasing tariffs and political instability, resilience today rests on two pillars: adaptability and vision. Nations that are well-equipped with a robust digital infrastructure and capacity for diversification, both in terms of product mix and trading nations, remain anchored. And in an interdependent economy, export value by country is more than a statistic. It reveals who has bargaining power, who is vulnerable, and where the next opportunity will be.

1. What country is the biggest exporter in 2025?

China is still the biggest exporter in 2025. It still has the biggest export industries in the world, estimated to be between US$3.3 to $3.6 trillion in 2023-24. Electronics, machinery, and consumer goods are the drivers of this dominance. China’s control of production, logistics, and supply chains worldwide keeps it on top despite the rise of emerging economies.

2. What does China export the most?

China’s export basket is full of electronics (smartphones, chips, components), heavy machinery, auto parts, textiles, furniture, and chemicals. They are not low value exports, they are inputs and finished products that industries around the world need. China has upgraded the value chain, exporting more high-tech products than ever.

3. What are the top 5 major exports?

All around the globe, the biggest exports are:

• Electronic goods (from semiconductors to consumer electronics)
• Automobiles and automotive parts
• Industrial equipment
• Refined petroleum and crude oil
• Chemicals (particularly pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals)
• Textiles, steel, and food products also rank high, depending on the top exporters by region.

4. Which countries are growing fastest in exports?

Mexico is moving fast, especially in autos and electronics. Vietnam is exploding as manufacturing shifts from China. Malaysia is riding on semiconductors and electronics. India is rising in pharma, IT services, and specialty chemicals. These countries are attracting supply chain investments, building exportable infrastructure, and expanding trade agreements.

5. What role does the WTO play in global exports?

The World Trade Organization is a guide and referee of international trade. It tracks export trends, provides current export data (2025), and forecasts-like its latest forecast of a small decline in merchandise trade in 2025. More importantly, it provides a framework for negotiations, dispute settlement, and transparency. With rising tariffs and the changing global landscape, the WTO helps stabilize international trade rules, and give exporters a level playing field.