AI goods drive global trade growth to record levels

Trade in goods linked to artificial intelligence rose sharply in the first quarter of 2026, helping lift overall global goods trade growth to its highest rate in recent years.

AI-enabling goods recorded 42 per cent year-on-year growth in Q1 2026, according to the data cited in the accompanying analysis. This was almost double the 22 per cent growth recorded across 2025 and well above the 11 per cent recorded in 2024.

Trade in non-AI goods also increased, although at a slower pace. Growth reached 7 per cent year-on-year in Q1 2026, compared with 5 per cent in 2025 and 1 per cent in 2024.

The stronger performance of AI-related goods contributed to 12 per cent growth in total global goods trade in the first quarter. That compares with 7 per cent growth in 2025 and 2 per cent in 2024.

AI-enabling goods accounted for 18.7 per cent of world trade in Q1 2026, up from 13.8 per cent in 2024.

The figures point to the growing role of AI-related products in international trade, as demand for technologies supporting artificial intelligence expands across industries and markets.

The data covers goods classified as enabling or supporting AI technologies, meaning the growth figures reflect trade in a broader group of products linked to AI rather than AI software or services alone.

While the figures show strong momentum in AI-related trade, overall trade growth also reflects wider changes in global demand, investment and supply chains.

The accompanying analysis cites the World Trade Organization and Financial Times as sources.