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Market Overview

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Trade management software plays a crucial role in helping companies effectively manage their trade operations worldwide. Primarily utilized by importers and exporters, this software enhances collaboration with trading partners and facilitates efficient global trade management.

The Trade Management Software Market is estimated to have a size of USD 1.20 billion in 2023, with projections indicating it will reach USD 1.92 billion by 2028. This growth is anticipated to occur at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.90% during the forecast period of 2023-2028.

One of the key driving factors for this market is the growing concern among companies regarding changing regulations, trade agreements, and their impact on supply chains. Increasing government requirements in many countries are also expected to fuel the demand for trade management software.

Furthermore, the market expansion is propelled by the rising demand for trade management automation technology and the need to minimize organizational expenses. The revenue considered in this market analysis comes from sales of trade management software for various end-user applications.

Trade management software offers capabilities that assist traders and businesses in mitigating supply chain and legal risks. It facilitates connectivity between importers, exporters, overseas suppliers, brokers, logistic service providers, and carriers. Through this software, companies can monitor and track cross-border operations, reducing risk and ensuring effective management of imports, exports, and compliance with legal and regulatory standards.

Globalization and outsourcing have contributed to increasingly complex and globally dispersed supply networks. Consequently, the demand for supply chain visibility solutions has grown, driven by the need to enhance international trade and comply with customs, tariffs, and regulations for a larger range of products.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on international trade, as restrictions on transportation and trade were imposed worldwide to curb the spread of the virus. These limitations, coupled with social distancing measures, disrupted distribution networks and international trade. Developed economies such as the United States, the European Union, and China experienced significant declines in trade, particularly in the chemical and automotive sectors. Sectors such as textiles, office machinery, precision instruments, and communications equipment also suffered substantial declines.

However, in the aftermath of the pandemic, there has been an accelerated digital transformation across industries and enterprises of all sizes. This rapid digital revolution is expected to stimulate global trade, commerce, and employment generation. The Asian Development Bank’s Asian Economic Integration Study 2021 predicts that a 20% increase in the size of the digital industry between 2021 and 2025 will result in a USD 4.3 trillion boost to global production.

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Market Segmentation

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The market is segmented based on various factors, including component, deployment, organization size, end user, and region.

Segmentation by Component
Solution – Vendor Management, Import/Export Management, Invoice Management, and Other Solutions (Finance, Compliance, etc.)
Service – Consulting and Implementation

Segmentation by Deployment
On-Cloud
On-Premise

Segmentation by Organization Size
Small and Medium Enterprises
Large Enterprises

Segmentation by End User
Defense
Pharmaceuticals
Energy
Transportation and Logistics
Consumer Goods
Other End-user Industries

Segmentation by Region
North America
Europe
Asia Pacific
Latin America
Middle East and Africa

In 2022, the solution segment had the largest market share of 79.29%, and it is projected to have the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.39% over the forecast period.

The import and export of commodities between countries has become a crucial aspect of modern business. International trade, including import, export, and cross-border transactions, constitutes a significant portion of global trade. With almost every country engaging in international trade, this industry has grown considerably. However, exporters often face challenges in keeping up with compliance standards that are constantly changing and becoming more complex worldwide. This leads to cross-border delays and compliance violations. To streamline their trade processes and enhance overall efficiency, many businesses now rely on import/export software.

The on-cloud segment accounted for the largest market share of 93.19% in 2022, and it is expected to experience the highest CAGR of 10.11% over the forecast period. The development of cloud platforms has increased the demand for trade management software solutions in the industry. Consequently, numerous enterprises are adopting cloud deployment to maintain a competitive edge. The MHI Annual Industry Report 2022 reveals that supply chain companies already utilize 40% of cloud computing technology, and this adoption rate is projected to reach 80% in the next five years. The growing demand for cloud-based technology in the supply chain industry will drive the adoption of on-cloud deployment. Moreover, the increasing popularity of software-as-a-service trade management solutions contributes to the demand for cloud-based systems due to the advantages they offer, including easy accessibility, upgradability, maintenance, and flexible pricing options.

In 2022, the large enterprises segment held the largest market share of 54.70%, and it is expected to have the highest CAGR of 10.91% over the forecast period. Large enterprises can reduce costs, risks, and delays associated with manual compliance and tracking activities by implementing a global trade management software solution. Such a system provides records that can easily pass audits conducted by governments or external bodies. Without a trade management solution, organizations must manually review every sales order from an international customer to ensure compliance with sanctioned party lists issued by various government agencies. Large enterprises cannot rely on manual processes because their sales order management systems are fully integrated with their worldwide trade management software systems. Sales orders are promptly cleared for shipping or flagged for export compliance issues as soon as they are entered into the system. Large enterprises either develop their own trade management software or rely on solutions developed by other large enterprises. By eliminating bottlenecks in the human compliance testing process, trade management software allows businesses to focus on assessing only a small portion of export orders that may potentially violate regulations.

The consumer goods segment had the largest market share of 30.22% in 2022, and it is expected to experience the highest CAGR of 11.07% over the forecast period. Consumer goods companies can leverage trade management software to streamline import/export management, restricted party screening, trade compliance, custom filings, free trade zones, and cross-border trade management. International trade encompasses a wide range of goods, including consumer products like clothing and television sets, capital goods such as machinery, raw materials, food, and various other products.

Many global consumer goods companies use centralized platforms to gather trade expenditure information from different markets and channels for reporting and decision-making purposes. The platform often includes data on trade partners’ margin requirements, based on reverse-engineering studies, to determine the preferred type of agreement for trading partners. Trade promotion management (TPM) and trade promotion optimization (TPO) are processes and technologies employed by consumer goods manufacturers to plan, manage, and execute collaborative promotional engagements with retail partners. The consumer goods industry faces several challenges, including inflation-driven cost increases, tighter margins, and global supply chain issues, which can lead to lower sales and reduced brand loyalty. To address these challenges, the consumer goods industry is turning to digital solutions to enhance operational efficiency and resilience. The overall value of imports into the United States in September 2022 was approximately USD 275.41 billion, followed by exports valued at around USD 176 billion. In January, imports totaled nearly USD 247.9 billion, with exports valued at approximately USD 147.4 billion. With the growing number of imports, the implementation of trade management software helps firms optimize costs and mitigate risks associated with international trade. Consumer goods manufacturers can adopt trade management software to balance trade investment needs from retail partners with the goal of achieving revenue and volume growth, higher margins, and improved return on investment (ROI) through integrated sales planning.

The North America segment held the largest market share of 36.15% in 2022, and it is projected to have the highest CAGR of 9.02% over the forecast period. Key competitors such as SAP, Oracle, and Amber Road Inc. contribute significantly to North America’s market presence in the trade management software industry. Additionally, the region’s strict and fast-paced trade regulations increase the demand for these solutions, ensuring seamless compliance and avoiding missed tax and duty deadlines.

The US government aims to increase the share of domestically produced goods, resulting in export growth that parallels international imports. Consequently, the use of trade management software is likely to further increase to track and adhere to regulatory rules in each country. Moreover, the trade management software industry is expected to benefit from the growing market for cloud-based solutions in North America. In March 2022, Canada contributed CAD 200,000 (~USD 150,000) to assist developing and least-developed countries in becoming more active participants in the global agricultural trade. Such funding to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) helps nations meet international food safety, plant health, and animal health standards, enabling easier access to regional and global markets. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the overall value of trade products and services imported into the United States rose from USD 795.5 billion in Q1 2021 to USD 1,018.5 billion in Q1 2022. This increase in imports is expected to drive the demand for trade management software. Additionally, several regional companies are engaging in activities such as acquisitions, mergers, and partnerships, which are anticipated to boost the demand for trade management software.

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Competitive Landscape

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The global market for trade management software comprises multiple participants. It is anticipated that competitive rivalry within the market will exhibit a moderate level of intensity throughout the forecast period.

Key Companies Profiled in this report include Oracle Corporation, Expeditors International of Washington Inc., Amber Road Inc. (E2open), SAP SE, Livingston International Inc., Thomson Reuters Corporation, Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation, United Parcel Service Inc., The Descartes Systems Group Inc., MIC, Bamboo Rose LLC, OCR Services Inc.

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Recent Industry Developments

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November 2022 saw the unveiling of SAP’s latest offering, Build, a low-code platform aimed at enabling software development for business users, including marketers and procurement experts. By integrating existing products, SAP streamlines the process of creating applications, workflows, and websites.

In September 2022, E2open and Shippeo, a leading provider of real-time multimodal transportation visibility, announced an expansion of their partnership. The objective is to provide customers with enhanced real-time visibility into the movement of goods through the most comprehensive global supply chain management platform. This expanded collaboration allows users to access real-time data, monitor goods in transit, and take prompt action directly within a single interconnected platform provided by e2open.

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Key Questions Answered

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