Technology-linked goods (from semiconductors to hybrid vehicles) are rapidly reshaping global trade, helping push worldwide commerce to a record $35 trillion. 

Industries tied to artificial intelligence, electronics and clean energy infrastructure recorded some of the strongest trade growth over the past year. 

This is according to new figures from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), published in its April 2026 Global Trade Update.

The data measures T4Q growth, meaning performance over the last four quarters of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024.

TL;DR

• Hybrid vehicles recorded the fastest growth for global trade, expanding 21%.
• The dominance of fossil fuels among the world’s most traded commodities is gradually weakening.

Ranked: The World’s Most Traded Commodities

Hybrid Vehicles Lead Global Growth

Among all major sectors tracked, hybrid vehicles recorded the fastest growth, expanding 21% over the last four quarters of 2025.

That surge stands out because hybrid vehicles are often seen as transitional technologies between traditional combustion engines and fully electric vehicles. 

By contrast, electric vehicles showed a slight 1% decline, while combustion-engine vehicles fell sharply by 11% over the same period. 

The decline in traditional vehicles points to long-term structural change in the transport sector.

Parts and components for vehicles also slipped by 3%.

Digital Technology Remains a Core Driver

Technology and electronics continued to power trade expansion across multiple industries.

Trade in information and communication technology (ICT) products grew 19%, making it one of the fastest-growing sectors overall. 

Meanwhile, electronics recorded 16% growth, and semiconductors (the essential building blocks of digital systems) expanded by 12%.

All of these mean there’s strong global demand for digital infrastructure, cloud computing equipment, and AI-related hardware. 

Questions about Renewable Energy Goods

Energy-related industries delivered a mixed performance in 2025.

For example, the wind turbine trade expanded 17%. 

It was the fastest-growing energy technology. 

However, solar energy equipment recorded a sharp 22% decline (one of the steepest drops in the dataset). 

That makes it even more interesting to see that the battery trade grew by 8%.

It reinforces their importance in supporting renewable energy systems and electric mobility.

Critical Minerals Face Short-Term Pressure

Trade in critical minerals (materials essential for batteries, renewable energy systems and electronics) fell 15% over the four-quarter period.

The decline is notable because long-term demand for these minerals is expected to rise significantly. 

Short-term drops may reflect price corrections, inventory adjustments, or supply disruptions rather than a weakening of long-term demand.

Critical minerals remain a cornerstone of modern industrial production.

They do everything from electric vehicles to wind turbines.

ELI5

Industries tied to digital technology, advanced manufacturing and energy transition are expanding faster than traditional commodity sectors. 

The steady growth in ICT, electronics and semiconductors underscores the importance of digital infrastructure.

Even as fossil fuels continue to play a major role in global commerce, their dominance is gradually weakening.

Source:

UNCTAD April 2026 Global Trade Update