Tracking the Threat: Insights from OECD’s "Mapping Global Trade in Fakes 2025"

The latest OECD report, Mapping Global Trade in Fakes 2025, reveals an alarming reality: counterfeit goods made up as much as 3.3% of global trade in 2023—equivalent to nearly USD 340 billion. Some of the most affected industries include:

  • Tobacco products

  • Luxury goods and perfumes

  • Cosmetics and personal care

  • Food and beverages

  • Apparel and electronics

Counterfeiting in these sectors doesn’t just hurt profits—it poses serious health risks to consumers, disrupts legitimate markets, and funds organized crime.

For those of us working in the fight against illicit trade, these figures are a clear call to action. At FractureCode Corporation, we believe one of the most effective responses is applying unique identifiers to individual products and integrating track and trace technology across the supply chain. This combination enables:

  • Full visibility from production to the point of sale

  • Authentication of each product at every step

  • Detection of irregularities and diversion

  • Data-driven enforcement and compliance

The OECD highlights that enforcement alone isn’t enough. Supply chains must become more transparent, and digital tools are essential to close the gaps exploited by counterfeiters.

In the tobacco industry—one of the report’s key focus areas—illicit trade remains a serious challenge. Unique codes and traceability systems allow manufacturers and regulators to verify a product’s origin in real time and take swift action when fraud is detected.

The same principles apply across many FMCG sectors. From dairy and bottled water to cosmetics and household goods, our solutions help brands protect their products without slowing down high-speed production. Real-time data also enables better decision-making and strengthens consumer confidence.

The OECD calls for a global, tech-enabled response—and that’s where we come in. By generating a secure, digital identity for every item, we empower governments and producers to act faster, smarter, and more effectively against fakes.

Counterfeiters are constantly evolving. To stay ahead, we need technology that delivers traceability, accountability, and trust—one unique identifier at a time.