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Business / 1 day ago
G20 Growth Outlook for 2026: Emerging economies set to outpace the West, IMF forecast shows
The global economic recovery is set to remain uneven in 2026, with emerging economies driving growth while much of the developed world continues to slow. The global economic recovery is set to remain uneven in 2026, with emerging economies driving growth while much of the developed world continues to slow. That is the central message from the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, which projects wide disparities in GDP growth across G20 economies this year.
Business / 2 days ago
Who leads the world in butter exports?
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. 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. Export data shows that a small group of countries dominate the world market, with Ireland, the Netherlands and New Zealand taking the top spots.
Business / 2 days ago
What the EU-Mercosur trade agreement is all about
The EU-Mercosur trade agreement is a wide-ranging pact between the European Union and the Mercosur bloc: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The EU-Mercosur trade agreement is a wide-ranging pact between the European Union and the Mercosur bloc: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. In practical terms, it is designed to lower barriers to trade and investment, set common rules for doing business, and create a more predictable framework for political and economic cooperation between the two regions.
Business / 1 week ago
Global vitamin imports: Why China and the US lead a growing market
Global demand for vitamins continues to rise, driven by ageing populations, expanding healthcare systems and a growing focus on nutrition and preventative health. New trade data from World’s Top Exports shows which countries are importing the most vitamins by value, and the results highlight clear economic and industrial patterns. Global demand for vitamins continues to rise, driven by ageing populations, expanding healthcare systems and a growing focus on nutrition and preventative health. New trade data from World’s Top Exports shows which countries are importing the most vitamins by value, and the results highlight clear economic and industrial patterns. China is the world’s largest importer of vitamins, with imports valued at US$415.3 million, accounting for 8.2% of total global vitamin imports. This reflects the country’s massive pharmaceutical, food processing and supplements industries, alongside rising domestic demand linked to urbanisation and health awareness.
Business / 1 week ago
Why is the world watching Venezuela's oil reserves?
Venezuela holds around 303 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves, more than any other nation on Earth and roughly 17 per cent of the global total. Venezuela holds around 303 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves, more than any other nation on Earth and roughly 17 per cent of the global total. That massive number places it above Saudi Arabia, Iran and Canada, a fact that once made the country one of the most influential players in the global oil market.
Business / 1 week ago
How scale, density and local habits shape Southeast Asia’s grocery market
A new ranking of the top 10 supermarket chains in Southeast Asia, based on store count and country presence, highlights how retail dominance in the region is built less on megastores and more on sheer density, convenience and localisation. A new ranking of the top 10 supermarket chains in Southeast Asia, based on store count and country presence, highlights how retail dominance in the region is built less on megastores and more on sheer density, convenience and localisation. The list, compiled using data from GourmetPro and visualised by World Visualized, shows Indonesian convenience retailers far outpacing regional rivals, while diversified conglomerates and state-linked cooperatives maintain strong national footholds elsewhere.
Business / 1 week ago
Mexico now dominates global brandy exports
Brandy is often associated with old European distilleries, but the global trade tells a very different story today. New export data shows that Mexico has quietly become the world’s largest exporter of brandy by a wide margin. Brandy is often associated with old European distilleries, but the global trade tells a very different story today. New export data shows that Mexico has quietly become the world’s largest exporter of brandy by a wide margin. Mexico accounts for 43.5% of total global brandy exports, with shipments valued at $4.1 billion. That puts the country far ahead of every other exporter.
World / 2 weeks ago
Global Tea Production: How the world’s most popular brew reflects shifting economies
Tea is a global commodity deeply tied to livelihoods, trade flows, and climate resilience. Asia dominates global tea output, with parts of Africa and South America playing increasingly important supporting roles. Tea is a global commodity deeply tied to livelihoods, trade flows, and climate resilience. Asia dominates global tea output, with parts of Africa and South America playing increasingly important supporting roles. At the top of the production pyramid are China and India, the only countries producing more than one million tonnes of tea annually. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), China alone accounts for over 45% of global tea production, driven by vast green tea output, while India remains the world’s largest producer of black tea, much of it grown in Assam and West Bengal. Together, these two countries anchor the global tea market and heavily influence international prices and supply stability.
World / 2 weeks ago
Who really powers the world’s hot chocolate market?
The Netherlands has emerged as the world’s largest hot chocolate exporter, which accounts for 23.5% of global exports and is valued at approximately $813 million, according to the World’s Top Exports. The Netherlands has emerged as the world’s largest hot chocolate exporter, which accounts for 23.5% of global exports and is valued at approximately $813 million, according to the World’s Top Exports. The country’s dominance reflects its long-established role as a global cocoa processing and food manufacturing hub, centred around the Port of Amsterdam and advanced agri-processing infrastructure.
