Find your expert

Trade Barometer | Santander Corporate and Commercial Banking

Trade Barometer

Monitoring business sentiment towards international trade, growth and risk


Helping businesses achieve their international ambitions

We regularly analyse the responses of businesses with the size and ambition to engage in international trade, to provide unique insight into current business attitudes. This helps us to offer the right guidance and support to help businesses achieve their international growth. The infographic below contains the key findings from this wave of Trade Barometer.

You can also download our Fact Card.


International growth is more important than ever

Internationally trading businesses are more confident and outperform domestic-only businesses.

International growth is more important than ever.

International markets remain the single biggest driver to build resilience

International markets remain the single biggest driver to build resilience.

As a whole, the European Union continues to offer the most attractive growth prospects

On a country-by-country basis, respondents expect to see growth opportunities in the following markets.

As a whole, the European Union continues to offer the most attractive growth prospects.

However, some barriers to trade remain

Where respondents are experiencing trade barriers with specific countries, a number of different challenges exist.


Businesses are moving supply chains closer to home

43% have moved or are moving supply chains closer to home.


Logistic costs have improved. In Autumn 2022 40% of all respondents said logistics costs were a problem. In Autumn 2023 that’s fallen to 31%.


Of the 40% of businesses whose supply chains operate in China, 62% plan to reduce dependence (of which only 14% plan to move completely away from China).

Businesses are still struggling with skills gaps

But help is here with Santander Navigator

  • Identify and connect with growth opportunities.
  • Navigate bureaucratic challenges.
  • Optimise logistics.
  • Grow your team's skillset.

Subscription fees may apply for some packages.


Image of a lighthouse.

Businesses we’ve helped on their international journey

true

Santander’s global ecosystem is the perfect blend for Sun Generation (UK)

Sun Generation (UK) create natural teas made from handcrafted blends from Sri Lanka, India, Kenya and China. They trade domestically in the UK and internationally.

Read more View all Case studies

Supporting you beyond banking. It Starts Here.