Balance 2025 in the area of ​​logistics: Between global reorganization and the challenge of becoming competitive again

2025 was a year that tested the adaptability of international trade and all companies operating in the logistics chain. World trade volume grew by 4.9% in the first half of the year compared to the previous year, exceeding original expectations. The WTO forecast annual growth of 2.4%, although with a significant slowdown for 2026, where the increase would barely be 0.5%. For a country like Argentina, which relies largely on logistical competitiveness to maintain its commercial presence, these numbers are not anecdotes: they determine opportunities, tensions and room for maneuver.

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The region also experienced a unique year. South America increased its imports by 14.7% and its exports by 7.4%, driven by the transport of capital goods, industrial goods and chemical equipment. However, this growth came with complex internal realities: rising costs, operational delays, misaligned regulatory frameworks, and weaker consumption that impacted much of the value chain.

In Argentina, the contraction of the domestic market was decisive. Less consumption means less sales, fewer imports and fewer logistics activities. The impact, while not uniform, was nonetheless impactful: sectors that rely on the constant movement of goods saw their work volumes decline, while others found room for growth in diversification and regional integration through corridors such as Chile, Uruguay or Paraguay.

Adding to these challenges was the transformation of cross-border trade, driven by platforms such as TEMU, which introduced a logic of fragmented, fast and low-cost deliveries. This dynamic further strained customs, forced a review of documentation processes and highlighted the country’s structural limitations in dealing with spikes in digital demand. The phenomenon is not just technological: it is redefining competition rules, consumer habits and operational requirements. In a market where 70% of logistics operations depend on importers, fluctuations in the volume of e-commerce activity are immediately noticeable.

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Nevertheless, 2025 leaves signs that Argentine logistics has room to strengthen. In a restrictive environment, many companies (large and medium-sized) have reassessed their strategies, prioritized efficiency, expanded their customer base or looked for regional alternatives to overcome bottlenecks. This type of tactical decision explains why part of the sector managed to maintain a reasonable level of activity despite the decline in consumption. However, the underlying challenge is not operational but systemic: Argentina needs public policies that promote predictability, reduce regulatory burdens and, above all, boost domestic consumption. Every point of market recovery leads to more imports, more logistical work and more dynamism for the entire chain.

Looking ahead to 2026, the country faces a less expansive and more challenging global scenario. Argentine logistics must focus on efficiency, regional integration and technology adoption to compete in an environment that does not offer too much margin for error.