LTO tape shipments dip by 16 exabytes in 2025 amid trade uncertainty
The LTO Program reported that global tape shipments fell to 160.3 exabytes in 2025, a 9% decline from the previous year.
According to the LTO Program, the consortium of HPE, IBM and Quantum Corp that manages the Linear Tape-Open standard recorded 160.3 exabytes of tape shipped in 2025, marking a 9% reduction from the 176.5 exabytes shipped in 2024, which had been an all-time high. Storage analyst Tom Coughlin linked the shortfall to an evolving global trade environment that led enterprises to tighten sourcing and inventory decisions. He suggested that once trade conditions stabilise, tape’s advantages—high capacity and low power use—could drive stronger growth, particularly for data-center projects constrained by electricity availability.
The report also highlighted a 57% jump in Q1 2026 shipments, spurred by the introduction of a new 40-TB cartridge compatible with existing 30-TB drives. Despite competition from hyperscaler-offered virtual-tape services, physical tape remains limited to manufacturers Sony and Fujifilm, raising occasional supply concerns.
Why it matters
Tape remains a low-power, high-capacity backup option, and shifts in its market reflect broader trade and data-center trends.
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