Africa’s copper sector continues to shape global supply chains, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Zambia, South Africa and Namibia emerging as the continent’s most important exporters of the red metal.

The global butter trade may not grab headlines every day, but it’s a big business that grossed US$10.3 billion in 2024, up from US$6.4 billion in 2020.

Global trade in vitamins and dietary supplements is increasingly concentrated among a small group of advanced manufacturing economies, with Germany and the United States emerging as the world’s largest exporters by value, according to data from World’s Top Exports.

Qatar’s export landscape is shifting even more firmly toward Asia, with new 2024 data showing China, South Korea and India as the country’s top destinations for goods.

Cobalt has rapidly emerged as one of the most critical minerals in today’s global economy. It powers technologies ranging from electric vehicle (EV) batteries and smartphones to large-scale renewable energy storage.

Recent figures show that countries such as Spain, France, and the Netherlands are now among some of Nigeria’s most important export destinations, reflecting shifts in global energy demand, geopolitical pressures, and the search for more stable supply routes.

Coconut may not grab headlines like crude oil or wheat, but the latest data shows it commands a power of its own, especially in tropical regions where it’s not just a crop, but a way of life.

In Southeast Asia, agriculture, forestry, and fishing remain foundational to national economies, contributing 8% to 16.6% of GDP in 2024, depending on the country, even as their shares have declined in recent years.

India has cemented its dominance as the world’s top banana producer, yielding 34.5 million tonnes in 2022, nearly triple that of China (12.1 mt) and far surpassing Indonesia (9.2 mt), Nigeria (8 mt), and Brazil (6.8 mt), according to FAO data.

From Chinese fried rice to Senegalese jollof, rice features in almost every dish around the globe. Despite it being a staple in many countries, rice consumption levels differ across countries.

The global rice export landscape is reshaping under a flood of supply, shifting policies, and volatile markets. According to the striking graphic above, global exports reached 88.4 million tonnes, led overwhelmingly by India with more than 33 million tonnes.

In 2016, Japan dominated the industrial robot export market with a commanding 36% share; fast forward to 2024, and that lead has been substantially eroded. A new export share chart reveals that while Japan remains in first place, its share has fallen to 21.4%.

Today’s most exquisite steaks—think Kobe A5+, Olive Wagyu, and Japanese Wagyu—are now statements, with prices starting at $150 and climbing well above $600 for the top-tier cuts.

Latin America stands as a titan in global agriculture for its rich variety of commodities like coffee, soybeans, and avocados, as well as its increasing embrace of high-tech farming.

U.S. President Donald Trump has finalised a sweeping new round of tariffs on key Asian trade partners, targeting exports to the United States.

China recorded a monthly trade surplus of $103.22 billion in May 2025, according to data supported by market figures from Trading Economics. This figure not only cements China’s dominant position in global exports but also highlights growing disparities in international trade balances.

The United States recorded a total trade volume of $2.61 trillion in the first quarter of 2025. This total comprises $1.89 trillion in imports and $729.1 billion in exports, marking a 6% growth in imports and a 2% rise in exports compared to the same period in 2024.

Tequila, over the years, has managed to provide stiff competition for traditional spirits like vodka and whiskey.

In 2023, the global economy saw an intensified shift in trade patterns, reflecting evolving consumer behavior, geopolitical tensions, and supply chain reconfigurations.

The United States is still the world’s largest wine consumer, with an impressive 33.3 million hectolitres consumed annually.