Ecommerce Shipping Guide 2020: All You Need to Know

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Ecommerce Shipping Guide 2020: All You Need to Know

February 25th, 2020 Ana Shan Leave a comment

This year, the ecommerce shipping industry is adapting automation and other efficiency-boosting tech tools for a 360-degree transformation. The shift in trends that began in 2019 is only going to pick up pace this year, with two of the most important trends of automation and scaling globally gaining impetus.

In 2019, 79% of US ecommerce shoppers said that free shipping would make it more likely for them to buy things online. 53% of users abandon the cart because of hidden costs like shipping, tax, etc. That’s how important shipping is for ecommerce sales.

So what changes should you be prepared for in 2020 when it comes to shipping?

What do you need to know about ecommerce shipping?

These are some of the questions we aim to answer through this guide.

A Step-Wise Peek Into the Ecommerce Shipping Process

Step 1 – Understanding a shipment

The most basic thing you need to understand is what constitutes a shipment. A shipment can be one thing or multiple things, created as a result of an order placed by a customer through online channels. One order might have multiple shipments too.

Step 2 – Using a shipping management software

Managing an inventory, especially when you are listing your products or services on multiple platforms, is a must. Using shipping management software keeps you organized. It also helps you check the status of every order in real-time.

Step 3 – Choosing your shipping carrier

There are a host of shipping carriers that are preferred by ecommerce companies like UPS and FedEx, among others. Therefore, compare the costs, the insurance, the delivery times, and the network of a shipping carrier before choosing one.

Step 4 – How to ship?

What is the most effective shipping method for you? By air, sea, or road? Ascertain this.

Step 5 – Determining whether to ship globally or locally

Will you be taking orders from international customers, or will you be shipping only in your city, state, or country? Answering this question will help you streamline the process.

Step 6 – Tracking & communication

Your work only begins once you have shipped an order; it does not end there. Customers prefer to have constant communication about their orders through tracking. Until the product is delivered, your job is not done.

Step 7 – Packaging and labeling

Incorrect labeling or inefficient packaging can cause damage or loss. Also, a badly packaged product negatively affects brand reputation.

Step 8 – Calculating costs

Shipping costs are one of the most important heads in your company’s balance sheet. Consider the factors like shipping methods, package dimensions, third-party-logistics, etc. while calculating the costs.

Step 9 – Knowing the regulations

You have to check the rules and regulations for all the countries or states you are shipping to. Some products cannot be shipped, while some need to have accompanying documentation, especially when you are shipping globally as they pass through customs. Know this beforehand.

Step 10 – Auditing & refunds

One of the most important steps is auditing your shipments. Shipping carriers might often overcharge you or levy incorrect fees and charges on your shipments. Automated or manual auditing allows you to claim refunds, making a slight addition to your capital.

Shipping Trends to Watch Out For in 2020

1. Going global

The whole world is a market. ecommerce companies are scaling internationally to boost growth. The demand for non-local products (that gain an ‘imported‘ or ‘exotic‘ tag) is only increasing. About 2.2 billion users are expected to shop online globally by 2021 – that’s your market if you go global.

2. Technology

The use of technology has increased efficiency, revenue, minimized errors and facilitated a better organizational structure. You can use shipping automation software solutions or something as simple as chatbots for your customers to track or know more about their orders.

3. Multi-channel presence

Just using one ecommerce platform like eBay or Amazon is not something online sellers prefer anymore. The new trend is to have a presence on multiple channels to maximize the chances of getting sales.

4. Faster delivery

Shorter wait times and same-day delivery options are what are in demand this year. Instant logistics is a major trend. A survey revealed that 88% of online shoppers are willing to pay for same-day delivery.

5. Personalized and premium packaging

Most ecommerce companies are spending a lot of money on designing the packaging. It works great for branding and says a lot about the company. Offering the users an option to personalize packaging is fast becoming a trend. 52% of customers are willing to make repeat purchases if the online merchant offers premium packaging, while 62% were more likely to purchase from a brand that used sustainable packaging.

The Past and the Present

The evolution of shipping and logistics in e-commerce has been phenomenal, especially in the last five years. The shipping modes, costs, size of warehouses, delivery times, packaging materials are only some of the things that have undergone a change. Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning (ML), automation, real-time tracking, Artificial Intelligence (AI), etc. have brought about this evolution. And this year, the ecommerce shipping industry is set to revolutionize with about 25% of the world shopping online. Are you ready?

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Ana Shan is a product evangelist at AuditShipment.com, an AI-driven audit service that automatically captures more than 20 carrier errors and helps businesses save up to 16% of their shipping costs.

Archives, Global Trade Daily, In The News

U.S. WINE INDUSTRY IS DROWNING ITS SORROWS OVER TRANSATLANTIC TRADE SPAT

February 24th, 2020 Alice Calder Leave a comment

Tipsy trade policy

The United States imported $6.5 billion worth of wine in 2018, equal to 17 percent of total wine imports worldwide. We like our Rioja from Spain, Bordeaux from France, and Italian Vernaccia as much as our California counterparts.

Instead of toasting, American wine importers — and the many businesses that rely on imported wine, from distributors to wine shop owners to restaurateurs — are protesting. Why? Because the administration was seriously considering raising tariffs to 100 percent on a range of imported Euro

pean products, including French, German and Spanish wine.

Imported European wines are already more expensive due to a 25 percent the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) imposed in October 2019. The wine industry is concerned that raising the tariff to 100 percent will cost thousands of jobs as the higher prices on European wines knock out a large chunk of the industry’s wholesale and consumer sales.

A drunken trade brawl

European wine is but a pawn in a decades old trade dispute. In October, the World Trade Organization (WTO) found that Airbus, a European aerospace corporation and Boeing’s big rival, had illegally received over $22 billion in state-sanctioned subsidies. The WTO authorized the United States to apply retaliatory tariffs on as much as $7.5 billion worth of European exports each year until the subsidies are removed.

Under U.S. law, the USTR must review and possibly revise (maybe increase) or “rotate” the list of products subject to tariffs after 120 days, known as “carousel retaliation,” to ensure the tariffs are causing enough pain to induce a negotiated resolution.

Even if wine were spared a tariff increase in the aircraft case, a new front has opened in this trade brawl. In July last year, France announced its Digital Services Tax, a tax of three percent on revenues generated in France by a digital company, independent of where that company was established. The tax appears targeted at American companies like Google and Facebook and was denounced by President Trump. When it became clear France had no intention of backing down, the U.S. administration threatened tariffs of up to 100 percent on popular European imports — including wine.

Friends don’t let friends retaliate

The U.S. wine industry is getting whiplash from the prospects of cross-retaliation in this trade war. The Europeans are also awaiting a WTO verdict on their case against Boeing subsidies that could authorize tariffs on U.S. imports. One-third of total U.S. wine exports, some $469 million worth, come from California shipping wine to the European Union, making it a prime target for retaliatory tariffs. The European Union could also decide to counter with tariffs in protest of the U.S. response to France’s digital tax.

Wine tariffs will not age well

An attack on wine strikes at the hearts of many. French and Italian wines alone account for one-third of the $70-billion U.S. wine market. The very biggest wine distributors may be able to afford to absorb the cost to remain competitive, but smaller importers and distributors will have a much harder time. The higher costs are passed along to distributors, drivers, specialty retailers, supermarkets and hotels, hitting everyone from the specialist Italian wine store to the French bistro that makes its margin on alcohol sales to the forklift operator in the warehouse. Wine sales also generate local and state tax revenue, particularly in states like Mississippi and Pennsylvania where the Liquor Control Board is the main wine buyer and seller.

In January, House Small Business Committee Chair Nydia M. Velazquez (D-NY) and eight Committee Democrats sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer voicing their fears about the tariffs’ impact on small businesses in the United States. They project that even the original 25 percent tariff could cost as many as 12,000 American jobs. A 100 percent tariff could risk 78,000 American jobs.

The 106 bipartisan members of the Congressional Wine Caucus also got together in January to send their own letter to Lighthizer, urging him to leave wine out of the sanctions, emphasizing the potentially crippling effects on America’s $220 billion wine economy.

Reason to celebrate?

Last week, the USTR made a sobering decision not to raise tariffs on imported European wines as part of the carousel review.

The entire industry is breathing a small sigh of relief, even producers in California. They would be unlikely to benefit significantly from the loss of competition from European wines. Due to laws on provenance, it is literally impossible to produce Chablis or Champagne anywhere else but France, for example. And compared to numerous competitors across the world, American producers have higher labor costs and limited supplies that could not fill the giant hole in the U.S. market left by European wines. Instead it seems likely that lower-cost South African and South American wine would be the beneficiaries as the more economical switch. Tariffs are a lose-lose for the U.S. industry.

In Vino Veritas

The tariffs are not an end unto themselves. They are meant to raise the stakes and bring the parties to the negotiating table. European trade officials appear to be contemplating measures to mitigate the trade row. Officials in Washington state appear to be reviewing its tax incentives to Boeing. The United States is seeking an international resolution to the question of digital taxes and French economy minister Bruno LeMaire seems more interested to resolve the digital tax dispute with President Trump.

Meanwhile, the U.S. wine industry cannot raise a glass. They must continue to live with the consequences of the 25 percent tariff, which they say could cost as much as $1.6 billion in lost wages throughout the distribution chain.

As for American wine lovers, another terrible reality sets in. After the 25 percent tariff went into effect in November, U.S. wine imports from Europe fell by half over previous months. Over the same period, China’s imports of French wine rose 26 percent. If European winemakers can shift their export focus, they might avoid the U.S. tariff pain and grow their market share in emerging economies while U.S. wine drinkers are left to abstain or drown their sorrow over higher prices.

Let’s all hope the issue is resolved and tariffs removed long before Beaujolais Nouveau Day in November.

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Alice Calder received her MA in Applied Economics at GMU. Originally from the UK, where she received her BA in Philosophy and Political Economy from the University of Exeter, living and working internationally sparked her interest in trade issues as well as the intersection of economics and culture.

This article originally appeared on TradeVistas.org. Republished with permission.

Archives, Global Trade Daily, In The News

Coronavirus Disrupts Maritime Industry, Supply Chains

February 21st, 2020 GT Staff Leave a comment

With reports that the U.S. military is preparing for a global coronavirus pandemic, companies dependent on China-based production are highly vulnerable to the adverse impacts on the modes of the supply chain, namely in commercial aviation, maritime shipping and overland transport, according to an industry analysis.

“The outbreak has already disrupted some commercial maritime operations and is set to have a much greater impact as international concerns over the virus intensifies,” states Hong Kong-based A2 Global Risk, which supplies its client businesses with a complete picture of global politics, security and trade.

“As large sections of China’s economy grinds to a halt and regional supply-chain mobility becomes tightly restricted, the macro-economic outlook becomes increasingly dire,” A2 Global Risk adds. “More factory closures are a near certainty as the Chinese government tries to control the spread of the disease. Foreign companies heavily reliant on China’s manufacturing sector will be forced to either weather the storm or shift their supply chains to less risky markets.”

TT Club, a UK-based insurance provider, is warning freight forwarders, logistics service providers and other intermediaries of potential unforeseen exposures that may also accrue. “Restrictions due to labor shortages at ports and cancellations of inland transport links within China, constraints in the supply of goods due to factory closures and reduced schedules of air, ocean and rail carriers may expose forwarders to claims arising from delivery delays and cargo deterioration,” states a TT Club briefing that was compiled with the assistance of specialist international lawyers.

“Up-to-date status reports on their cargo’s progress, or lack of it, are vital to shippers,” emphasizes TT Club’s Risk Management Director Peregrine Storrs-Fox. “Forwarders and logistics operators will certainly prove their mettle if they can consistently make customers aware of the ongoing attempts to problem-solve. Careful recording of communication trails detailing such actions will also help in any disputes in the future.”

Global e-retailer Alibaba Group has responded to the coronavirus threat by continuously sending medical supplies, including masks and protective suits, to medical personnel in Wuhan, Wenzhou and Hangzhou, which are at the center of the outbreak and in the most need.

“We are grateful. And we need more help,” states Alibaba, which launched a global sourcing platform for suppliers and distributors of medical goods across the world to join in the campaign.

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Global Non-Alloy Steel H-Sections Market is Estimated at $17.9B

February 21st, 2020 IndexBox Leave a comment

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘World – H-Sections Of Of Non-Alloy Steel – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

The global non-alloy steel h-sections market revenue amounted to $17.9B in 2018, rising by 11% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price).

Exports 2007-2018

Global exports stood at 6.2M tonnes in 2018, surging by 4.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, non-alloy steel h-sections exports, however, continue to indicate a noticeable curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at 9M tonnes in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2018, exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, non-alloy steel h-sections exports amounted to $4.3B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. In general, non-alloy steel h-sections exports, however, continue to indicate a drastic reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2010 when exports increased by 31% year-to-year. The global exports peaked at $8.4B in 2008; however, from 2009 to 2018, exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2018, Luxembourg (1,099K tonnes), South Korea (1,070K tonnes), Germany (805K tonnes) and Spain (665K tonnes) represented the key exporter of h-sections of of non-alloy steel exported in the world, making up 59% of total export. It was distantly followed by the U.S. (305K tonnes), committing a 4.9% share of total exports. The following exporters – Japan (230K tonnes), Thailand (229K tonnes), the United Arab Emirates (212K tonnes), Italy (200K tonnes), Taiwan, Chinese (195K tonnes), Poland (181K tonnes) and the UK (158K tonnes) – together made up 23% of total exports.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by the United Arab Emirates, while exports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest non-alloy steel h-sections supplying countries worldwide were Luxembourg ($794M), South Korea ($688M) and Germany ($598M), with a combined 48% share of global exports. Spain, the U.S., Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Italy, Taiwan, Chinese, Poland and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 39%.

The United Arab Emirates experienced the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while exports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2018, the average non-alloy steel h-sections export price amounted to $699 per tonne, going up by 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the non-alloy steel h-sections export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 when the average export price increased by 37% year-to-year. In that year, the average export prices for h-sections of of non-alloy steel attained their peak level of $1,053 per tonne. From 2009 to 2018, the growth in terms of the average export prices for h-sections of of non-alloy steel remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2018, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in the U.S. ($948 per tonne) and Germany ($743 per tonne), while South Korea ($643 per tonne) and the UK ($650 per tonne) were amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the U.S., while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports 2007-2018

In 2018, approx. 6.4M tonnes of h-sections of of non-alloy steel were imported worldwide; growing by 2.3% against the previous year. In general, non-alloy steel h-sections imports, however, continue to indicate a slight downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 with an increase of 23% year-to-year. The global imports peaked at 7.7M tonnes in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2018, imports failed to regain their momentum.

In value terms, non-alloy steel h-sections imports totaled $4.4B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. Over the period under review, non-alloy steel h-sections imports, however, continue to indicate a significant shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011 when imports increased by 26% against the previous year. The global imports peaked at $7.6B in 2008; however, from 2009 to 2018, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of non-alloy steel h-sections imports in 2018 were Canada (592K tonnes), Germany (450K tonnes), South Korea (377K tonnes), the U.S. (356K tonnes), the Netherlands (348K tonnes), China, Hong Kong SAR (293K tonnes), Turkey (255K tonnes), the UK (253K tonnes), France (213K tonnes), Belgium (191K tonnes), Myanmar (186K tonnes) and Malaysia (160K tonnes), together accounting for 57% of total import.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Myanmar, while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest non-alloy steel h-sections importing markets worldwide were Canada ($466M), Germany ($316M) and the Netherlands ($261M), together accounting for 24% of global imports. South Korea, China, Hong Kong SAR, the U.S., Turkey, the UK, France, Belgium, Malaysia and Myanmar lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 32%.

Among the main importing countries, Myanmar experienced the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2018, the average non-alloy steel h-sections import price amounted to $680 per tonne, picking up by 15% against the previous year. Overall, the non-alloy steel h-sections import price, however, continues to indicate a slight contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2008 an increase of 32% against the previous year. In that year, the average import prices for h-sections of of non-alloy steel attained their peak level of $1,078 per tonne. From 2009 to 2018, the growth in terms of the average import prices for h-sections of of non-alloy steel remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was Canada ($788 per tonne), while Myanmar ($239 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea, while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

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Turkey’s Cement Additives Market Rose 3.6% to Reached $637 in 2018

February 21st, 2020 IndexBox Leave a comment

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘Turkey – Prepared Additives For Cements, Mortars Or Concretes – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

The revenue of the prepared additives for cements market in Turkey amounted to $637M in 2018, growing by 3.6% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, prepared additives for cements consumption continues to indicate strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2010 when the market value increased by 38% y-o-y. Prepared additives for cements consumption peaked in 2018 and is likely to continue its growth in the near future.

Production in Turkey

Prepared additives for cements production in Turkey stood at 1.2M tonnes in 2018, surging by 7.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, prepared additives for cements production continues to indicate a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2012 when production volume increased by 25% year-to-year. Over the period under review, prepared additives for cements production reached its peak figure volume in 2018 and is expected to retain its growth in the near future.

In value terms, prepared additives for cements production amounted to $632M in 2018 estimated in export prices. Overall, prepared additives for cements production continues to indicate a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2010 when production volume increased by 38% year-to-year. Over the period under review, prepared additives for cements production attained its peak figure level in 2018 and is expected to retain its growth in the near future.

Exports from Turkey

In 2018, the exports of prepared additives for cements, mortars or concretes from Turkey totaled 77K tonnes, going up by 20% against the previous year. In general, prepared additives for cements exports continue to indicate a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011 when exports increased by 122% year-to-year. Over the period under review, prepared additives for cements exports reached their maximum in 2018 and are expected to retain its growth in the near future.

In value terms, prepared additives for cements exports amounted to $35M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. Overall, the total exports indicated strong growth from 2007 to 2018: its value increased at an average annual rate of +10.6% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2018 figures, prepared additives for cements exports decreased by -7.4% against 2014 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2011 when exports increased by 53% against the previous year. Exports peaked at $38M in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2018, exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Georgia (16K tonnes), Free Zones (12K tonnes) and Iraq (12K tonnes) were the main destinations of prepared additives for cements exports from Turkey, with a combined 52% share of total exports.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Free Zones, while exports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for prepared additives for cements exported from Turkey were Iraq ($7M), Georgia ($5.6M) and Cyprus ($3M), together accounting for 44% of total exports. These countries were followed by Free Zones, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Ethiopia, Bulgaria, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Libya, which together accounted for a further 32%.

Iran experienced the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while exports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2018, the average prepared additives for cements export price amounted to $458 per tonne, dropping by -5.1% against the previous year. Overall, the prepared additives for cements export price continues to indicate an abrupt downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2010 an increase of 30% against the previous year. In that year, the average export prices for prepared additives for cements, mortars or concretes reached their peak level of $1,021 per tonne. From 2011 to 2018, the growth in terms of the average export prices for prepared additives for cements, mortars or concretes remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was Ethiopia ($1,070 per tonne), while the average price for exports to Free Zones ($164 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Ethiopia, while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports into Turkey

In 2018, the amount of prepared additives for cements, mortars or concretes imported into Turkey amounted to 5.3K tonnes, lowering by -63.4% against the previous year. Overall, prepared additives for cements imports continue to indicate a deep reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2008 with an increase of 73% y-o-y. Over the period under review, prepared additives for cements imports reached their peak figure at 20K tonnes in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2018, imports failed to regain their momentum.

In value terms, prepared additives for cements imports totaled $8.8M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. Over the period under review, prepared additives for cements imports continue to indicate a perceptible reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2008 when imports increased by 80% y-o-y. Imports peaked at $29M in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2018, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

France (1.7K tonnes), Germany (1.1K tonnes) and Italy (361 tonnes) were the main suppliers of prepared additives for cements imports to Turkey, together comprising 61% of total imports. These countries were followed by Canada, Slovakia, Belgium, Russia, the UK, India, the Netherlands and Romania, which together accounted for a further 28%.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Romania (+57.9% per year), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($2.9M), Germany ($2.4M) and Italy ($796K) constituted the largest prepared additives for cements suppliers to Turkey, together comprising 69% of total imports. Canada, Slovakia, Belgium, Russia, India, the UK, Romania and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 19%.

Romania (+53.6% per year) recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average prepared additives for cements import price stood at $1,666 per tonne in 2018, surging by 50% against the previous year. Over the period from 2007 to 2018, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 50% y-o-y. In that year, the average import prices for prepared additives for cements, mortars or concretes reached their peak level and is likely to continue its growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2018, the country with the highest price was Italy ($2,203 per tonne), while the price for the Netherlands ($477 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany, while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

Archives, Global Shippers 101, Global Trade Daily

UK and Germany Ship the Most Parcels in Europe

February 20th, 2020 Ed Vaizey Leave a comment

Technology has allowed us to exchange information, images, and video more easily than ever before. Back when the internet was first taking off, many predicted that this would spell the end for traditional parcel delivery. But these predictions have been proven to be wrong: the global shipping industry is in ruder health than ever, thanks to the rise of online retailers, and of an increasingly interconnected global economy.

In Europe, two nations stand clearly ahead of the rest of the pack: the UK and Germany. Both countries shipped around 3.5 billion parcels in 2019, according to the Pitney Bowes Shipping Index. That was a 12.4% annual increase for the UK, where there are around fifty-three parcels shipping per capita each year, which is the second-highest number of any country in the world.

Both countries have extremely consolidating shipping industries, with a handful of major carriers accounting for a majority of parcels shipped. In the UK, customers can compare the various services on offer through comparison sites like Parcel2Go.

So where does that put the rest of Europe? France sits way behind, at just 1.3 billion parcels shipped per year, while Italy is way down at less than a billion. Norway and Sweden are down at 61 and 127 million respectively – which is far less than the major players, even after you account for their respective populations.

Where does the UK sit Globally?

All of this has to be judged, of course, against a global backdrop. Shipping has more than doubled over a five-year period going back from 2018 when eighty-seven billion parcels were shipped in a single year. That was a volume increase of 17% from the previous year’s total of seventy-four billion, and works out at around 2,760 parcels shipped every single second. Somewhat incredibly, this explosion in shipping has almost kept pace with the population growth; there were twelve parcels per person shipped in 2014, and twenty-three in 2018.

Three nations stand out as major players in the global shipping industry. These are China, the US and Japan, who collectively account for some 83% of global traffic. China, as you might expect, sits way ahead of the pack with an incredible 51 billion parcels shipped. The US comes in significantly behind, at 13 billion, and Japan just behind that at 9 billion. Japan accounts for the highest per-capita shipping frequency.

What’s Next?

This trend shows no sign of abating in the future, and is likely to only accelerate as new markets emerge. The report indicates that shipping will likely double again over the next six years, with global parcel-shipping reaching an incredible 200 billion parcels.

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Stuffed Pasta Market in the EU Slows Down, Levelling Off at $2.8B

February 17th, 2020 IndexBox Leave a comment

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘EU – Pasta Stuffed With Meat, Fish And Cheese – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

The revenue of the market for pasta stuffed with meat, fish and cheese in the European Union amounted to $2.8B in 2018, remaining stable against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption of pasta stuffed with meat, fish and cheese continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern.

Consumption By Country in the EU

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption of pasta stuffed with meat, fish and cheese in 2018 were Germany (263K tonnes), France (207K tonnes) and Italy (138K tonnes), with a combined 60% share of total consumption. These countries were followed by the UK, Poland, Spain, Belgium and Hungary, which together accounted for a further 27%.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption of pasta stuffed with meat, fish and cheese, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Hungary, while consumption of pasta stuffed with meat, fish and cheese for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($672M), Germany ($579M) and Italy ($493M) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2018, together comprising 61% of the total market. The UK, Belgium, Spain, Poland and Hungary lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.

The countries with the highest levels of meat, fish and cheese pasta per capita consumption in 2018 were Belgium (4,007 kg per 1000 persons), Germany (3,206 kg per 1000 persons) and France (3,161 kg per 1000 persons).

Market Forecast 2019-2025 in the EU

Driven by increasing demand for meat, fish and cheese pasta in the European Union, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.7% for the period from 2018 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.1M tonnes by the end of 2030.

Production in the EU

In 2018, the production of pasta stuffed with meat, fish and cheese in the European Union totaled 1M tonnes, standing approx. at the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2007 to 2018; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations over the period under review. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when production volume increased by 8.4% year-to-year. In that year, production of pasta stuffed with meat, fish and cheese attained its peak volume of 1M tonnes, and then declined slightly in the following year.

Production By Country in the EU

The countries with the highest volumes of production of pasta stuffed with meat, fish and cheese in 2018 were Italy (277K tonnes), Germany (208K tonnes) and France (185K tonnes), together accounting for 65% of total production.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production of pasta stuffed with meat, fish and cheese, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Germany, while production of pasta stuffed with meat, fish and cheese for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports in the EU

The exports totaled 359K tonnes in 2018, rising by 4.9% against the previous year. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2007 to 2018; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, exports of pasta stuffed with meat, fish and cheese reached their peak figure in 2018 and are likely to continue its growth in the immediate term. In value terms, exports of pasta stuffed with meat, fish and cheese totaled $1.2B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Exports by Country

Italy was the largest exporter of pasta stuffed with meat, fish and cheese exported in the European Union, with the volume of exports finishing at 144K tonnes, which was approx. 40% of total exports in 2018. Belgium (53K tonnes) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 15% share, followed by France (9.8%), Austria (9.1%), Germany (5.4%) and the Netherlands (4.6%). Luxembourg (11K tonnes) occupied a minor share of total exports.

From 2007 to 2018, average annual rates of growth with regard to meat, fish and cheese pasta exports from Italy stood at +1.9%. At the same time, Austria (+11.6%), the Netherlands (+10.0%), Germany (+3.0%), Luxembourg (+2.5%) and France (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Austria emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +11.6% from 2007-2018. Belgium experienced a relatively flat trend pattern.

In value terms, Italy ($544M) remains the largest meat, fish and cheese pasta supplier in the European Union, comprising 45% of total exports of pasta stuffed with meat, fish and cheese. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Belgium ($159M), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by France, with a 8.8% share.

Export Prices by Country

The export price for pasta stuffed with meat, fish and cheese in the European Union stood at $3,365 per tonne in 2018, going up by 10% against the previous year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2018, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($4,021 per tonne), while Luxembourg ($2,304 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports in the EU

Stuffed pasta imports in the EU totaled 343K tonnes in 2018, going up by 11% against the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2007 to 2018; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. In value terms, imports of pasta stuffed with meat, fish and cheese totaled $1.1B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Imports by Country

The imports of the three major importers of pasta stuffed with meat, fish and cheese, namely Germany, France and the UK, represented more than half of total import. It was distantly followed by Belgium (25K tonnes), Spain (25K tonnes), the Netherlands (21K tonnes) and Austria (16K tonnes), together generating a 25% share of total imports. Portugal (14,869 tonnes), Sweden (7,481 tonnes), Denmark (6,532 tonnes), Ireland (6,312 tonnes) and Italy (5,260 tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Portugal, while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($194M), France ($187M) and the UK ($136M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2018, together accounting for 49% of total imports. Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Italy and Ireland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 42%.

Import Prices by Country

The import price for pasta stuffed with meat, fish and cheese in the European Union stood at $3,089 per tonne in 2018, rising by 2.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price for pasta stuffed with meat, fish and cheese continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2018, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Italy ($3,871 per tonne) and Belgium ($3,628 per tonne), while Germany ($2,609 per tonne) and Ireland ($2,783 per tonne) were amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

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Rising Demand in the U.S., Canada, and Europe Drives Global Quinoa Exports

February 17th, 2020 IndexBox Leave a comment

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘World – Quinoa – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

The global quinoa market revenue amounted to $410M in 2018, rising by 5.1% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, quinoa consumption continues to indicate strong growth.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of quinoa consumption in 2018 were Bolivia (40K tonnes), Peru (34K tonnes) and the U.S. (29K tonnes), with a combined 71% share of global consumption.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of quinoa consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by the U.S., while quinoa consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest quinoa markets worldwide were Bolivia ($114M), Peru ($91M) and the U.S. ($84M), together accounting for 70% of the global market.

In 2018, the highest levels of quinoa per capita consumption was registered in Bolivia (3,578 kg per 1000 persons), followed by Peru (1,057 kg per 1000 persons), Canada (285 kg per 1000 persons) and Australia (109 kg per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of quinoa was estimated at 19 kg per 1000 persons.

Production 2007-2018

In 2018, the amount of quinoa produced worldwide totaled 167K tonnes, jumping by 9.3% against the previous year. In general, quinoa production continues to indicate a resilient increase. The general positive trend in terms of quinoa output was largely conditioned by prominent growth of the harvested area and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of quinoa production in 2018 were Peru (86K tonnes), Bolivia (73K tonnes) and Ecuador (3K tonnes), with a combined 97% share of global production.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of quinoa production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Ecuador, while quinoa production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Harvested Area 2007-2018

In 2018, approx. 188K ha of quinoa were harvested worldwide; growing by 8.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the quinoa harvested area continues to indicate a resilient increase.

Yield 2007-2018

Global average quinoa yield amounted to 888 kg per ha in 2018, approximately reflecting the previous year. In general, the quinoa yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern.