FedEx Survey:86% of Singaporean SMEs Reporting Growing Trade Volumes with Europe

SINGAPORE, November 21, 2025 — Federal Express Corporation (FedEx), one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, today released insights from a survey examining trade trends between Asia Pacific (APAC) and Europe, covering 13 markets across the region including Singapore. Among key regional findings highlighting the enablers and challenges shaping cross-border trade, the survey revealed that Singaporean SMEs outperform the APAC average across nearly all trade measures, such as the proportion of customers in Europe, demand for products and services, and more.

Out of the 100 Singaporean SMEs polled, 86% of them indicated experiencing higher trade volumes with European markets, driven by increased demand for products/services (51%), greater marketing and investment focused on European customers (43%), and new product and service launches tailored for European markets (41%) — a clear indication that Europe remains a critical market offering significant growth opportunities for Singaporean businesses.

In line with Singapore being a key Asian trade partner for Europe’s largest economies, 66% of Singaporean SMEs now have at least a quarter of their customer base in Europe. This is higher than the regional figure, where 50% of SMEs report having at least a quarter of their customers in Europe. Even in smaller markets like Italy, Spain, and Poland, Singaporean businesses maintain a stronger presence than regional peers. Overall, 84% of Singaporean businesses reported an improved outlook over the past year — 10% above the regional APAC average.

“Singaporean SMEs are demonstrating remarkable resilience and agility in expanding trade with Europe, capitalizing on strong demand and strategic opportunities,” said Eric Tan, managing director, FedEx Singapore. “This growth reflects on the strength of Singapore’s trading relationship with Europe, and the confidence to thrive amid shifting global dynamics. FedEx will continue investing in network capacity, digital innovation, and expertise to help Singaporean businesses sustain and accelerate their momentum.”

While optimism is high, 85% of Singaporean SMEs report being affected by global logistics disruptions and shifting regulations. The main barriers to entering European markets include logistics costs, customs regulations, and a lack of demand and market intelligence, while top challenges for businesses already in Europe are import taxes/tariffs and supply chain complexities.

Key European Markets for Singaporean SMEs
The United Kingdom (UK), Germany, and France emerge as the top markets for Singaporean SMEs. 36% of Singaporean SMEs entered Europe through the UK, reflecting historical trade ties, while 81% currently export to the UK, 70% to Germany, and 68% to France. These markets are expected to continue leading growth over the next one to two years.Across the wider Asia Pacific region, the United Kingdom leads as the primary gateway to Europe (31%), followed by Germany and France (18% each).

For 51% of Singaporean SMEs, sustainability considerations play a key role in logistics and supply chain choices when conducting business with European partners, signaling a shift toward greener and more responsible trade practices.

Enabling Smoother Trade
Aligned with a majority of APAC markets, Singaporean SMEs see cost efficiency as the top factor for boosting trade with Europe, with 40% rating it critical.

The key areas where Singaporean SMEs seek support to expand trade with Europe are:

• 42% accessing cost-effective logistics solutions
• 33% receiving customs clearance expertise
• 27% receiving regulatory guidance

Meeting Asia-Europe Demand with Capacity, Reliability and Intelligence
To better support surging trade growth, FedEx added five weekly flights connecting Asia to Europe this month. Additionally, FedEx enhanced connectivity between Vietnam to Europe reducing shipment time by one day. FedEx now operates 26 weekly flights connecting APAC shipments to Europe, delivering express shipments to major European destinations in as little as 48 hours^[1].

The company’s integrated air-and-road network is one of the fastest in Europe, enabling quick deliveries across the region. Anchored by key logistics hubs in Paris, France and Liege, Belgium, the network supports over 550 pick-up and delivery stations across 45 countries and territories and facilitates the sorting of more than two million packages every day.

FedEx also offers a broad portfolio of smart digital solutions and specialized trade expertise to simplify cross-border commerce. Customers can streamline customs declarations by uploading Electronic Trade Documents digitally to help ensure timely delivery while the FedEx Import Tool allows users to track clearance status, receive real-time notifications, and download required documents on demand.The FedEx Go-To Europe Hub is an always-on resource with multimedia resources, trade guidelines, and local market insights, equipping APAC businesses shipping to Europe with the knowledge and tools they need to confidently expand and compete across borders.

[1] Availability of services and transit time may vary depending on origin and destination postal code