Supply Chain Research

Global trade volumes expanded for a 16th straight month, growing by 6% on a year earlier in May, Panjiva analysis of CPB data shows. That was the second fastest rate of growth, and second highest absolute level since 2011 (March 2017 being the best). Growth looks set to have continued in June. Purchasing manager surveys are at their most optimistic in at least two years, while June export data from China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand have all expanded by double-digit percentage rates.