Data insights
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The intersection of international trade and environmental sustainability has become increasingly important in shaping global economic policies. The trade of goods that impact natural ecosystems plays a crucial role in either preserving or degrading our planet’s resources. This collection of thematic insights explores key areas where trade and the environment intersect, shedding light on the dynamics of environmentally related trade
Exports of ocean-related goods, billions of dollars
Between 2020 and 2024, global trade in ocean goods increased by 37% .
Exports of developing economies excluding China showed especially strong growth: 55% since 2020. In 2024, their exports accounted for one quarter of global ocean goods trade.
Top five exporters of ocean-related goods, billions of dollars, 2024
UN Trade and Development, UNCTADstat.
In the lower graph, China, Hong Kong (China), Macao (China), and Taiwan Province of China are not considered.
The main exporter of ocean goods in 2024 was China ($185 billion), followed with some distance by Germany ($76 billion) and the United States of America ($62 billion). The economies of the European Union (EU) exported ocean goods worth $306 billion. Among developing economies, India and Mexico were among the largest exporters, apart from China, Hong Kong (China), and Taiwan Province of China.
Developing economies have different specializations in their ocean goods exports. In 2024, in Mexico, like in several other developing economies, manufactured products accounted for the overwhelming majority of ocean goods exports. As much as $15.8 out of $17.4 billion of ocean-related exports from Mexico were manufactured goods. By contrast, in Chile, $9.2 billion out of $9.7 billion ocean goods exports were marine fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing.
Theil product and market concentration indices, top 10 ocean goods exporters, 2023
Diversifying export sectors (reducing product concentration) helps economies grow while building resilience.
Exporting to more trading partners (reducing market concentration) can also enable economies to reduce shocks due to sudden changes in tariff and non-tariff barriers. For instance, Mexico’s exports of ocean goods are mostly sent to the United States, and Myanmar’s exports to Thailand. By contrast, Türkiye and South Africa have more diversified ocean goods exports and trading partners.
Theil indices measure the degree to which a country’s exports/imports are concentrated on a few products and trading partners. The higher the Theil index, the more concentrated the country’s exports/imports. The overall Theil index is the sum of the product and market concentration Theil indices.
Full metadata are available in our Data Centre for Merchandise: Theil concentration indices of exports and imports, annual .
The Oceans data also includes a Revealed Comparative Advantage index, see Ocean goods trade: Revealed comparative advantage index, individual economies, annual and Ocean goods trade: Revealed comparative advantage index, estimated global and regional aggregates, annual.
