The GEP Global Supply-Chain Volatility Index, a leading indicator tracking demand conditions, shortages, transportation costs, inventories and backlogs based on a monthly survey of 27,000 businesses, rose in April to -0.18, from -0.32 in March, which signals that global supply chains are operating at close to full capacity.
Improving activity across global supply chains is a direct result of healthier demand, which has picked up consistently in the year-to-date after considerable weakness in 2023. The Asian market is at the forefront of this trend, with input demand at the region's factories remaining strong. Procurement managers in South Korea, Vietnam, India and China reported greater purchasing activity during April.
The North American market is showing more evidence of
