Data insights
The intersection of international trade and environmental sustainability has become increasingly important in shaping global economic policies. 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
Global exports of ocean goods grew by 26% between 2020 and 2023, driven by strong growth in developing economies (34%).
Although developing economies (excluding China) accounted for only one quarter of global exports of ocean goods in 2023, they have grown strongly since 2020 (+33%).
Top 5 exporters of ocean-related goods, world and developing economies, billions of dollars, 2023
The top exporters of ocean goods in 2023 are China ($155 billion), Germany ($79 billion), and the United States ($61 billion). The European Union (EU) economies combined exported $298 billion in ocean goods. Within the top 20 exporters of ocean goods, other developing economies include India, Mexico, Türkiye and Chile.
Developing economies (excluding China) have different sector specializations. In 2023, $14 billion of Mexico’s $16 billion exports were manufactured products. Other developing economies show a similar pattern of manufactured products dominating their ocean goods exports, except for Chile which had $7 billion (out of a total $9 billion) exports of marine fisheries and aquaculture.
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.