The India freight forwarding market size reached around USD 140.47 Billion in 2025. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.40% between 2026 and 2035 to reach nearly USD 344.95 Billion by 2035. The market growth can be attributed to the rising volume of global trade, technological advancements and innovations, favourable government initiatives, and the robust growth of the e-commerce sector.
Base Year
Historical Period
Forecast Period
The robust growth of the e-commerce sector and the rising demand for last-mile delivery solutions are creating lucrative India freight forwarding market opportunities. In 2022, Tier II cities accounted for 19.2% of the order volume on e-commerce channels. With increasing e-commerce activities, freight forwarding companies are expanding their delivery networks and setting up regional distribution hubs to reach these cities more efficiently.
The increasing manufacturing output is boosting the need for freight forwarding services to transport raw materials to factories and finished goods to consumers. The manufacturing sector in India accounted for 15.3% of the GDP in FY22, driven by favourable government initiatives. As the manufacturing sector diversifies, the demand for specialised freight forwarding services to handle different types of cargo, including hazardous materials, heavy machinery, and temperature sensitive goods, is increasing.
The increasing export and import of goods in India is surging the demand for freight forwarding services. During FY 2021-22, India’s exports reached around USD 417.8 billion while import values surpassed USD 610 billion. This growing trade volume is pushing the government to invest in improving and developing infrastructure such as airports, ports, multi-modal logistics parks, and railways. Moreover, key players are expected to invest in digital platforms for enabling inventory management, real-time tracking, and route optimisation to streamline operations and reduce costs.
Compound Annual Growth Rate
9.4%
Value in USD Billion
2026-2035
*this image is indicative*
|
India Freight Forwarding Market Summary |
Description |
Value |
|
Base Year |
USD Billion |
2025 |
|
Historical period |
USD Billion |
2019-2025 |
|
Forecast Period |
USD Billion |
2026-2035 |
|
Market Size 2025 |
USD Billion |
140.47 |
|
Market Size 2035 |
USD Billion |
344.95 |
|
CAGR 2019-2025 |
Percentage |
XX% |
|
CAGR 2026-2035 |
Percentage |
9.40% |
|
CAGR 2026-2035 - Market by Region |
West and Central India |
10.7% |
|
CAGR 2026-2035 - Market by Region |
East India |
10.1% |
|
CAGR 2026-2035 - Market by Mode of Transportation |
Road |
10.9% |
|
CAGR 2026-2035 - Market by End Use |
Healthcare |
13.2% |
|
Market Share by Region 2025 |
North India |
29.8% |
In 2023, India’s e-commerce industry recorded a year-on-year growth of 26.2% in order volume, mainly due to a 23.5% y-o-y surge in annual gross merchandise volume. Based on industry analysis, Tier I cities constituted a major portion of the increase in order volume (31.1%), followed by Tier II (23.3%) and Tier III cities (22.4%). The anticipated growth of the e-commerce industry in rural areas is expected to aid the India freight forwarding market development in the upcoming years.
Rising levels of economic development have further fuelled India’s exports globally. As per the government, India exported USD 84.96 billion worth of petroleum in 2023, which increased its market share to 12.59% and made it the world’s second-largest exporter. Similarly, the export of semi-precious stones has increased to USD 1.52 billion, which has made it the world’s topmost exporter, accounting for 36.53% of the global market share. This is expected to fuel the India freight forwarding market value in the coming years.
Technological advancements are expected to play a significant role in driving market growth. For instance, freight forwarding companies are adopting advanced AI algorithms to anticipate and avoid supply chain disruptions, thereby ensuring the timely delivery of cargo.
Technological advancements; the emergence of multimodal logistics, improvements in supply chain visibility; and increasing volume of global trade are the major factors favouring the India freight forwarding market growth.
The growing use of technology in supply chain management aimed at streamlining operational efficiency, reducing turnaround times and costs, and enabling companies to meet the burgeoning demand for high-quality products across state borders is aiding the market.
As per India freight forwarding market analysis, cargo transported via railways through Dedicated Freight Corridors have 65% lower carbon emissions than items transported via some routes through roadways. With government incentives, the growth of multimodal logistics is expected to play a significant role in driving market growth.
Global merchandise trade volume is expected to increase at a rate of 2.6% in 2024 and 3.3% in 2025. This is prompting professional freight forwarders develop innovative, reliable and sustainable end-to-end supply chain solutions that offer real-time tracking of shipments, goods, and vehicles, enable supply chain managers to make informed decisions, and facilitate the identification of potential issues to minimise inventory shortages, delays, or customs clearance bottlenecks.
The increasing volume of global trade and the establishment of India as a major hub for imports and exports are necessitating the demand for improved freight forwarding services. With surging global trade, growing investments in road and rail infrastructure and warehousing and distribution centres are also aiding the market.
By 2047, freight volumes in India are expected to increase by nearly 500%, thereby resulting in almost 400% growth in carbon emissions. However, the emergence of multimodal logistics companies is expected to strengthen the delivery of freight services in a sustainable manner. The establishment of Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals and Dedicated Freight Corridors is expected to enable professional freight forwarders to design an optimised transportation mix for enhancing their supply chain’s sustainability and efficiency. This is creating a favourable India freight forwarding market outlook. Freight forwarders are also expected to benefit from obtaining certifications like Authorised Economic Operator (AEO), which expedites the cargo clearance process for their items by reducing the requirements for physical inspection.
The EMR’s report titled “India Freight Forwarding Market Report and Forecast 2026-2035” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:
Breakup by Mode of Transportation
Breakup by Customer Type
Breakup by End Use
Breakup by Region
Based on mode of transportation, the market is segmented into road, maritime, rail, and air. Over the forecast period of 2026-2035, road transportation is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.9% due to the extensive networks of roads, railways, and rural routes in the country. The flexibility, reliability, and ability to handle smaller and time-sensitive shipments offered by road transportation are boosting the market.
As per the India freight forwarding market analysis, maritime transportation is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10.3% between 2026 and 2035 as it plays a crucial role in import-export activities. The growing volume of imports and exports, the increasing investments in port modernisation, and the rising global trade of manufactured goods are aiding the segment’s growth.
|
CAGR 2026-2035 - Market by |
Mode of Transportation |
|
Road |
10.9% |
|
Maritime |
10.3% |
|
Rail |
XX% |
|
Air |
XX% |
Major market players are focusing on developing their multimodal logistics capabilities, which is creating a favourable India freight forwarding market outlook. They are also investing in digital solutions that enable real-time tracking of shipments, automated customer care, and route optimisation to reduce operational inefficiencies and improve transparency.
Kuehne+Nagel International AG was founded in 1890 and is headquartered in Schwyz, Switzerland. It is engaged in providing logistical services to nearly 400,000 customers worldwide.
Deutsche Post AG was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It specialises in providing postal deliveries, international direct mails, and cross-border packets.
DB Schenker was founded in 1872 and is headquartered in Essen, Germany. It is a globally renowned company that provides excellent logistical services and freight forwarding solutions.
CEVA Logistics is a subsidiary to the CMA CGM Group, which is headquartered in Marseille, France. CEVA Logistics is a leading third part logistics company that provides integrated transportation services across different continents.
*Please note that this is only a partial list; the complete list of key players is available in the full report. Additionally, the list of key players can be customized to better suit your needs.*
Other players included in the India freight forwarding market report are DSV A/S, FedEx Corp., United Parcel Service of America, Inc., NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC., Delhivery Limited, and A.P. Moller – Maersk, among others.
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*While we strive to always give you current and accurate information, the numbers depicted on the website are indicative and may differ from the actual numbers in the main report. At Expert Market Research, we aim to bring you the latest insights and trends in the market. Using our analyses and forecasts, stakeholders can understand the market dynamics, navigate challenges, and capitalize on opportunities to make data-driven strategic decisions.*
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In 2025, the market reached an approximate value of USD 140.47 Billion.
The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.40% between 2026 and 2035.
The market is estimated to witness healthy growth in the forecast period of 2026-2035 to reach a value of around USD 344.95 Billion by 2035.
The different regions considered in the market report include East India, West and Central India, North India, and South India.
The different modes of transportation for freight forwarding are road, maritime, rail, and air.
The different types of customers in the market include B2B and B2C.
The different end uses of freight forwarding include industrial and manufacturing, retail, healthcare, oil and gas, and food and beverages, among others.
Key players in the market are Kuehne+Nagel International AG, Deutsche Post AG, DB Schenker, CEVA Logistics, DSV A/S, FedEx Corp., United Parcel Service of America, Inc., NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC., Delhivery Limited, and A.P. Moller – Maersk, among others.
Explore our key highlights of the report and gain a concise overview of key findings, trends, and actionable insights that will empower your strategic decisions.
| REPORT FEATURES | DETAILS |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Historical Period | 2019-2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026-2035 |
| Scope of the Report |
Historical and Forecast Trends, Industry Drivers and Constraints, Historical and Forecast Market Analysis by Segment:
|
| Breakup by Mode of Transportation |
|
| Breakup by Customer Type |
|
| Breakup by End Use |
|
| Breakup by Region |
|
| Market Dynamics |
|
| Competitive Landscape |
|
| Companies Covered |
|
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