Freight Forwarding Market Size and Trends
The freight forwarding market is estimated to be valued at US$ 184.94 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach US$ 260.41 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.0% from 2025 to 2032.
Key Takeaways of the Global Freight Forwarding Market
Market Overview
The global freight forwarding market is set for sustained growth through 2032, fueled by the expansion of international trade, rising e-commerce volumes, and increasing need for efficient global logistics solutions. Freight forwarding services play a critical role in facilitating smooth and timely transportation of goods across borders, particularly through modes such as air, sea, and land.
The air freight forwarding segment is gaining prominence due to the growing demand for time-sensitive deliveries, especially in sectors like healthcare, electronics, and e-commerce. Meanwhile, the transportation & warehousing sector continues to drive demand, supported by supply chain optimization efforts and expanding storage infrastructure.
North America leads the global market, supported by robust trade networks, strong economic fundamentals, and advanced logistics infrastructure. However, the market faces challenges such as volatile fuel prices, regulatory complexities, and capacity constraints across transportation modes. Nevertheless, advancements in digital freight platforms, automation, and sustainable logistics practices are expected to shape the future of the freight forwarding industry positively.
AI Impacts on the Freight Forwarding Market
The freight forwarding industry is experiencing a digital revolution with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), streamlining operations, enhancing route optimization, and improving predictive logistics. AI technologies are driving efficiency, reducing costs, and enabling smarter decision-making across global supply chains.
Market Concentration and Competitive Landscape
To learn more about this report, Request sample copy
Current Events and Their Impact on the Freight Forwarding Market
Current Events |
Description and its impact |
Geopolitical Tensions and Supply Chain Diversification |
|
E-commerce Boom and Express Freight Growth |
|
Uncover macros and micros vetted on 75+ parameters: Get instant access to report
To learn more about this report, Request sample copy
Market Trends
E-commerce Expansion Fueling Demand for Express Freight Solutions
The freight forwarding market is witnessing strong growth driven by the surge in e-commerce and direct-to-consumer (D2C) business models. As consumers increasingly expect next-day or even same-day deliveries, logistics networks are under mounting pressure to provide ultra-fast, reliable shipping. This has turned last-mile delivery into a critical focal point for service providers.
Traditional brick-and-mortar retailers are also accelerating their digital transformation by investing heavily in e-commerce platforms to meet evolving consumer behavior. As a result, global parcel volumes have surged, placing additional demands on transportation and delivery infrastructure.
Freight forwarders are well-positioned to capitalize on this trend due to their extensive experience in time-sensitive shipments, integrated value-added services, and global network reach. Their capabilities in coordinating last-mile delivery, handling overseas shipping, and implementing advanced technologies make them indispensable partners for e-tailers and retailers alike.
The rise of e-commerce is expected to remain a major growth driver for the freight forwarding market, spurring continuous investment in warehouse automation, air freight capacity, and AI-driven logistics optimization.
Market Opportunity: Growth of E-commerce and the Need for Enhanced Logistics Support
The rapid expansion of e-commerce from 2022 to 2025 has significantly increased the volume of smaller parcels and non-bulk shipments, necessitating advanced logistics solutions. This surge has led to a growing trend of outsourcing transportation and warehousing functions, as manufacturers and retailers seek greater flexibility and efficiency in their supply chains. The highly fragmented logistics market presents opportunities for larger players to consolidate and expand their market share through strategic mergers and acquisitions.
For instance, in May 2025, Amazon India received board approval to merge its logistics arm, Amazon Transportation Services, with its primary marketplace entity. This consolidation aims to streamline operations and enhance synergy between logistics and marketplace functions, improving efficiency and service delivery in the competitive Indian e-commerce landscape.
Freight Forwarding Market Insights by Mode of Transport: Air Freight Forwarding Dominates Due to Time-Sensitive Delivery Demand
The air freight forwarding segment is projected to contribute the highest market share of 40.8% in 2025, primarily driven by the rising need for time-sensitive deliveries across global supply chains.
The rapid growth of global e-commerce has significantly boosted demand for fast delivery services. High-value, lightweight items such as electronics, fashion apparel, and collectibles are increasingly shipped via air freight to meet next-day or two-day delivery expectations. This delivery speed is critical for enhancing customer satisfaction and driving repeat purchases for online retailers.
In addition, the rise of just-in-time manufacturing has further reinforced the need for air freight services. Aircraft transport essential components, sub-assemblies, and finished goods between manufacturing hubs and distribution centers to support tight production schedules. The reliability, speed, and customs expertise provided by air logistics providers are essential for keeping modern supply chains running efficiently.
As e-commerce expands into emerging markets and diversifies across product categories, air cargo will remain pivotal to meeting accelerated delivery standards, reinforcing the dominant position of the air freight forwarding segment in the global market.
Freight Forwarding Market Insights by Services: Transportation & Warehousing Dominates Due to Efficient Cargo Movement and Strategic Storage
The transportation & warehousing segment is expected to account for the largest share of the freight forwarding market at 46.2% in 2025. The efficient movement of goods and interim storage are central to the role of freight forwarders in global trade.
Transportation, including air, sea, rail, and road, forms the core of freight forwarding operations, ensuring timely and coordinated delivery of goods across borders. Warehousing provides essential support by storing goods during transits, customs clearance, or while awaiting final distribution.
Specialized facilities, such as cold chain warehouses, cater to temperature-sensitive goods like pharmaceuticals and perishables. As global trade and supply chains become more complex, the demand for integrated transportation and warehousing solutions continues to grow, reinforcing the segment's dominant position in the freight forwarding market.
Regional Insights
To learn more about this report, Request sample copy
North America Freight Forwarding Market Analysis and Trends
North America is projected to hold a dominant 41.7% share of the global freight forwarding market in 2025. This strong position is supported by robust international trade activity, a mature logistics infrastructure, and the presence of major global freight forwarders headquartered in the U.S. and Canada.
The region benefits from high import and export volumes, particularly between NAFTA members and trading partners in Europe and Asia, driving demand for sophisticated freight solutions. Well-established B2B supply chains across sectors such as manufacturing, automotive, and retail further reinforce the need for efficient and scalable freight forwarding services.
Additionally, the ongoing expansion of cross-border e-commerce and the integration of advanced technologies like AI and IoT continue to enhance operational efficiency, making North America a key hub in the global freight forwarding landscape.
Asia Pacific Freight Forwarding Market Analysis and Trends
Asia Pacific is emerging as the fastest-growing regional freight forwarding market, projected to expand at a CAGR of 6.1% through 2032. The region’s growth is driven by a surge in international trade, rapid industrialization, and increasing export volumes from major economies like China, India, and Southeast Asian nations.
China continues to serve as a global manufacturing hub, while rising trade activity across countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia is expanding regional logistics needs. Strategic geographic positioning along key global shipping routes supports robust demand for sea, air, and rail freight services.
Freight forwarders are strengthening their presence in Asia Pacific by building extensive networks and logistics hubs to serve both global and intra-regional trade. Localized service offerings and competitive pricing strategies cater to the region’s price-sensitive markets.
With growing middle-class consumption and the rise of regional multinationals, the Asia Pacific freight forwarding market presents strong growth opportunities for providers equipped to meet evolving logistics demands.
U.S. Freight Forwarding Market Analysis and Trends
The U.S. freight forwarding market remains a key pillar of the global logistics landscape, supported by the country’s strong economic activity, extensive trade volumes, and advanced transportation infrastructure. The presence of global logistics leaders such as FedEx, UPS, and Expeditors International, along with a vast network of domestic and international carriers, enables efficient end-to-end freight movement.
Market growth is driven by the country’s diversified industrial base, high levels of import-export activity, and increasing adoption of digital freight technologies. Advanced supply chain management systems, integration of AI and IoT in logistics operations, and rising demand for time-sensitive shipments—particularly from e-commerce and manufacturing sectors—are reinforcing the need for agile freight forwarding solutions.
With key trade corridors linking North America to Asia, Europe, and Latin America, and with established port and airport hubs, the U.S. continues to be a global leader in multimodal freight forwarding. The increasing focus on sustainability and automation is also driving innovation and reshaping the competitive landscape of the U.S. freight forwarding market.
Pricing Analysis of the Freight Forwarding Market
1. Service Cost by Transportation Mode
2. Operational and Handling Charges
3. Value-Added Services and Markups
Market Report Scope
Freight Forwarding Market Report Coverage
Report Coverage | Details | ||
---|---|---|---|
Base Year: | 2024 | Market Size in 2025: | USD 184.94 Bn |
Historical Data for: | 2020 To 2024 | Forecast Period: | 2025 To 2032 |
Forecast Period 2025 to 2032 CAGR: | 5.0% | 2032 Value Projection: | USD 260.41 Bn |
Geographies covered: |
|
||
Segments covered: |
|
||
Companies covered: |
Agility Logistics, Bolloré Logistics, CEVA Logistics (a subsidiary of CMA CGM), C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., DB Schenker, DHL (part of Deutsche Post AG), DSV, Expeditors International of Washington, Inc., FedEx Corporation, GEODIS, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, Kerry Logistics Network Limited, Kuehne+Nagel Inc., Maersk, Nippon Express Co., Ltd., Panalpina (part of DSV), Sinotrans Limited, UPS (United Parcel Service of America, Inc.), Yusen Logistics Co., Ltd., an dXPO Logistics, Inc. |
||
Growth Drivers: |
|
||
Restraints & Challenges: |
|
Uncover macros and micros vetted on 75+ parameters: Get instant access to report
Freight Forwarding Industry News
Analyst View: Global Freight Forwarding Market (2025–2032)
Market Segmentation
Sources
Stakeholders:
Primary Sources:
Secondary Sources:
Proprietary Elements:
Share
Share
About Author
Suraj Bhanudas Jagtap is a seasoned Senior Management Consultant with over 7 years of experience. He has served Fortune 500 companies and startups, helping clients with cross broader expansion and market entry access strategies. He has played significant role in offering strategic viewpoints and actionable insights for various client’s projects including demand analysis, and competitive analysis, identifying right channel partner among others.
Missing comfort of reading report in your local language? Find your preferred language :
Transform your Strategy with Exclusive Trending Reports :
Frequently Asked Questions
Joining thousands of companies around the world committed to making the Excellent Business Solutions.
View All Our ClientsUS Reciprocal Tax Impact Analysis On Freight Forwarding Market
Stay updated on tariff changes with expert insights and timely information