APAC SMEs Eye European Trade Boom: FedEx Survey Unveils Surging Confidence & Growth Trends
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Federal Express Corporation, a global leader in express transportation, has released the findings of a survey focusing on trade lane trends between the Asia Pacific (APAC) and Europe. The study illuminates the main drivers and obstacles to cross-border trade.
Survey Details and Findings
The survey, carried out in September 2025, gathered responses from 850 small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) across 13 APAC markets and over 1,200 SMEs across nine European markets. The study sought to understand business sentiment, readiness, and challenges in the context of cross-border expansion among APAC firms looking towards Europe and European firms eyeing APAC.
The results show a significant upswing in European trade among APAC SMEs, with 76% of respondents noting elevated export volumes over the previous year. The United Kingdom (42%), Germany (40%), and France (38%) were identified as the chief markets propelling business growth.
European SMEs also displayed strong confidence, as 87% of businesses are tilting their trade balance in favor of the APAC region or maintaining their current levels. China (55%), Japan (36%), and South Korea (24%) were identified as the top growth markets for the next two years. Importantly, this mutual optimism among SMEs mirrors the broader market dynamics, as the Asia–Europe trade lane witnessed thirty consecutive months of growth up to August 2025, underlining the impressive growth momentum in this critical business corridor.
Trade Lane Developments and Challenges
The escalation in Asia-Europe trade is attributable to several key factors. In the APAC region, robust consumer demand in Europe, better price competitiveness for Asian products and services, and strategic expansion opportunities have been instrumental, with 68% of participants attributing growth to these elements. A notable 85% of APAC businesses plan to inaugurate or expand trade with Europe in the next 12–24 months.
Conversely, European businesses are attracted to APAC due to strategic potential, comprehensive logistics solutions, and favorable trade agreements. Despite the strong interest from both APAC and European SMEs to broaden cross-border trade, they also recognize the hurdles that lie ahead. Changes in regulations, intricate customs procedures, and worldwide market volatility are major apprehensions, affecting 86% of APAC SMEs and 78% of European SMEs.
To address these issues, SMEs are exploring solutions. 30% of APAC and 41% of European firms are seeking digital tools to enhance supply chain visibility, simplify shipping, and decrease delivery times. Moreover, 27% of APAC and 41% of European SMEs are calling for improved customs expertise to steer through shifting regulations, avert delays, and manage costs effectively.
Supporting Asia-Europe Trade
Salil Chari, senior vice president, Marketing and Customer Experience at FedEx, Asia Pacific, asserted, “In the face of ongoing changes in global trade, it’s heartening to witness APAC and European SMEs exhibiting strong confidence in expanding along the Asia–Europe trade corridor. At FedEx, we’re aiding our customers to unlock their next growth phase by combining the reach of our global network, the strength of digital innovation, and our profound trade expertise, helping them trade smarter, more efficiently, and with greater confidence.”
To bolster the growing trade, FedEx added five weekly flights connecting Asia to Europe during this month. Additionally, FedEx improved connectivity between Vietnam and Europe, lessening shipment time by one day. FedEx currently operates 26 weekly flights connecting APAC shipments to Europe, ensuring express shipments reach major European destinations within 48 hours.
FedEx’s integrated air-and-road network, one of the fastest in Europe, guarantees swift deliveries across the region. With logistics hubs in Paris, France, and Liege, Belgium, the network supports over 550 pick-up and delivery stations across 45 countries and territories, sorting more than two million packages daily.
FedEx also provides a wide array of smart digital solutions and specialized trade expertise to simplify cross-border trade. Their tools allow customers to streamline customs declarations by uploading Electronic Trade Documents digitally, track clearance status through the FedEx Import Tool, and access the FedEx Go-To Europe Hub – a platform with multimedia resources, trade guidelines, and local market insights.
Questions & Answers
What percentage of APAC SMEs reported an increase in export volumes to Europe over the past year?
76% of APAC SMEs reported an increase in export volumes to Europe over the past year.
What are the main concerns for SMEs conducting business across borders?
Regulatory shifts, complex customs procedures, and global market volatility are major concerns for SMEs conducting business across borders.
What measures has FedEx taken to support the growing trade between APAC and Europe?
FedEx has added five weekly flights connecting Asia to Europe, improved connectivity between Vietnam and Europe, and offers a suite of smart digital solutions and specialized trade expertise to facilitate cross-border trade.