SMEs across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) are accelerating their international expansion plans beyond Europe, according to a new FedEx study.
The findings suggest that nearly 50% of SMEs in the region already sell internationally, and another third are preparing to enter foreign markets.
This points to a shift in perspective: businesses that were once focused on catching up with more developed Western European markets are now positioning themselves as global competitors.
The research was conducted by Minds & Roses on behalf of FedEx across six of the region’s largest economies: Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Lithuania.
While Western Europe remains a priority region for growth and continues to serve as the main export destination for manufacturers and suppliers, companies are increasingly expanding beyond traditional partners.
One in four exporters is already active in the United States, and 14% operate in Asia, the findings show.
Jacek Grzeszak, senior economist at Minds & Roses, highlighted how decades of economic transformation and integration with the EU and NATO have firmly embedded the region within Western value chains. “For years, Western Europe was the dominant export destination. It remains critical, but companies in Central and Eastern Europe are now seeking further growth beyond traditional markets. For ambitious companies from our region, thinking outside of Europe is key,” he said.
The report shows that internationalization has shifted from a one-off experiment to an ongoing strategy. Nearly 80% of companies already active abroad plan to enter additional markets, suggesting their early export efforts have been commercially viable.
The drivers are pragmatic: the companies seek to access larger markets (36%), diversify revenue streams (31%) and respond to rising foreign demand (30%).
While barriers such as high entry costs, customer acquisition challenges and transportation expenses persist – especially for SMEs – they tend to slow expansion rather than stop it altogether.
Technology has played a significant role in the change. The rapid adoption of e-commerce tools has lowered the threshold for cross-border trade, allowing even small businesses to reach customers far beyond their home markets.
Consequently, access to global transportation networks, customs expertise and integrated digital shipping solutions is emerging as a competitive differentiator.
Mariusz Mik, vice president of ground operations Nordics, Eastern Europe at FedEx, said, “This shift is happening as global supply chains continue to evolve, with more businesses looking to diversify. With our global network and experience handling time-sensitive and high-value shipments, FedEx is well-positioned to support businesses as they expand internationally.”
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