The UK Road Freight Transport Market report segments the industry into End User Industry (Agriculture, Fishing, and Forestry, Construction, Manufacturing, Oil and Gas, Mining and Quarrying, Wholesale and Retail Trade, and Others), Destination (Domestic, International), Truckload Specification (Full-Truck-Load (FTL), Less than-Truck-Load (LTL)), and Containerization (Containerized, Non-Containerized).

Revenue is expected to creep upwards at a compound annual rate of 0.1% over the five years through 2024-25 to £39.3 billion. The freight road transport industry operates the most extensive transport network of all freight modes, providing much-needed flexibility and the convenience of door-to-door haulage. The performance of the road haulage industry is influenced by demand from key downstream markets. Therefore, unprecedented global disruptions, like economic downturns, which affect production and consumption levels, have a direct impact on the revenue prospects of freight road transport companies. The surge in e-commerce during the pandemic gave the industry a crucial impetus, helping it recover from pandemic-related lows. The road haulage industry experienced a surge in demand as the economy reopened, however, freight volumes remained somewhat subdued in 2022-23 and 2023-24. This was due to stagnant UK economic growth and rampant inflation, caused by global supply chain disruptions, which limited demand from key markets like manufacturing and construction. A severe shortage of qualified drivers and record-high fuel prices have weighed on the average industry profit margin. Although freight road transport operators have adopted cost-cutting strategies such as fuel hedging and increased efforts to recruit and retain workers, they remain vulnerable to volatile conditions. Despite subsiding inflation in 2024-25, the industry continues to face challenges related to heightened costs due to ongoing global supply issues, resulting in road haulage companies being forced to cut operations or restructure. Despite ongoing operational constraints, freight road transport operators are actively increasing their investments to enhance operational efficiency during these uncertain economic times. They are specifically accelerating the transition to low-carbon fleets and boosting investments in automation. In 2024-25 revenue is forecast to increase by 2%. Revenue is forecast to rise at a compound annual rate of 1.7% over the five years through 2029-30 to reach £42.7 billion. As economic conditions improve, freight volumes are expected to increase due to rising consumer and business confidence. Brexit-related complexities and labour shortages will persist, but government initiatives like temporary visa schemes and apprenticeship grants will aim to bridge these gaps. The UK's commitment to net-zero emissions is set to transform the industry significantly. With significant investments in fuel-efficient vehicles and electric vehicle infrastructure, road haulage companies are gearing up for a cleaner, more efficient future.

This statistic shows the revenue of the industry “freight transport by road“ in the United Kingdom from 2012 to 2019, with a forecast to 2025. It is projected that the revenue of freight transport by road in the United Kingdom will amount to approximately ***** billion U.S. Dollars by 2025.

In 2021, the road freight transport market in the United Kingdom dropped to ** billion British pounds. This drop is assigned to the lockdown measures during the coronavirus outbreak that led to a decrease in non-food demand.

The United Kingdom road freight transport market size was valued at USD 69.23 Billion in 2024. The market is further projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.90% between 2025 and 2034, reaching a value of USD 92.14 Billion by 2034.

The UK Freight And Logistics Market report segments the industry into End User Industry (Agriculture, Fishing, And Forestry, Construction, Manufacturing, Oil And Gas, Mining And Quarrying, Wholesale And Retail Trade, Others) and Logistics Function (Courier, Express, And Parcel (CEP), Freight Forwarding, Freight Transport, Warehousing And Storage, Other Services). The report covers market value, volume analysis, and more.

Market Size statistics on the Freight Road Transport industry in the UK

The Europe Cross Border Road Freight Transport Market report segments the industry into End User Industry (Agriculture, Fishing, and Forestry, Construction, Manufacturing, Oil and Gas, Mining and Quarrying, Wholesale and Retail Trade, Others) and Country (France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Nordics, Russia, Spain, United Kingdom, Rest of Europe). The report provides five years of historical data and five-year forecasts.

The European road freight transport market, encompassing a diverse range of segments including FTL, LTL, and various goods types, presents a robust and expanding landscape. Driven by the increasing e-commerce sector, manufacturing output, and cross-border trade within the European Union, the market exhibits significant growth potential. Key end-user industries such as manufacturing, construction, and retail contribute substantially to the market's volume. The prevalence of short-haul and long-haul transport, along with the demand for both temperature-controlled and non-temperature-controlled services, creates a multifaceted market structure. While challenges like fluctuating fuel prices and driver shortages exist, technological advancements such as improved logistics software and autonomous vehicle development offer opportunities for optimization and efficiency gains. The market's fragmentation among numerous operators suggests a dynamic competitive environment. Germany, the United Kingdom, and France likely represent the largest national markets within Europe due to their advanced economies and extensive manufacturing and distribution networks. Assuming a conservative CAGR of 3% (a figure informed by general European economic growth and infrastructure investment), the market's future trajectory is positive. Growth is further fueled by ongoing investments in infrastructure designed to enhance logistics efficiency across Europe's extensive road network. However, regulatory changes related to emissions and driver working conditions could impact operational costs and profitability for companies. The rise of sustainable transportation solutions, including electric and alternative fuel vehicles, is an important trend that will reshape the market's landscape in the coming decade. Companies are likely investing in fleet modernization and diversification to meet increasing environmental regulations and customer demands. The continued expansion of e-commerce and the associated need for last-mile delivery solutions within urban areas will also present significant opportunities for growth in specific market segments, particularly LTL. The consolidation among larger logistics providers indicates an ongoing trend of market concentration. Recent developments include: September 2023: DB Schenker in Norway conducted a test with the electrically powered and highly innovative Volta Zero from Volta Trucks. In 2021, DB Schenker and Volta Trucks announced a partnership. The subsequent pre-order of nearly 1,500 zer-tailpipe emission Volta Zero vehicles was the largest order of medium-duty electric trucks in Europe to date. DB Schenker plans to deploy the all-electric, 16-ton Volta Zero in its European terminals to deliver goods from distribution hubs to urban areas and city centers.September 2023: DB Schenker has purchased a new 2.3-acre site at Trafford Park, Manchester. The new facility will have various features to support DB Schenker's operations and employee needs. It will contain designated zones for consolidating shipments across all transport modes.September 2023: Scan Global Logistics and Alfa Laval have introduced their first electric truck, as part of their zero-emissions partnership. The truck will enable CO2 savings of 5.3 tons annually. The emission reduction will help Alfa Laval achieve its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030, with a target of net zero for scopes 1 and 2 and a 50% reduction for scope 3.. Notable trends are: OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT.

United Kingdom Freight And Logistics Market was valued at USD 90.7 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 168.9 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 8.08% from 2024 to 2031.

United Kingdom Freight And Logistics Market: Definition/ Overview

In the United Kingdom, freight and logistics refers to the process of moving goods and resources from one area to another using various modes of transportation such as road, rail, air, and sea. This system's applicability is critical in a variety of industries, including retail, e-commerce, manufacturing, and healthcare. It covers services such as warehousing, distribution, inventory management, and supply chain coordination to ensure that goods arrive on time and at the correct price. Logistics is critical to enabling trade, both domestically and globally, by allowing product transportation for businesses and consumers.

This statistic shows the revenue of the industry “freight transport by road and removal services“ in the United Kingdom by segment from 2012 to 2019, with a forecast to 2025. It is projected that the revenue of freight transport by road and removal services in the United Kingdom will amount to approximately ***** billion U.S. Dollars by 2025.

The forecast for the Europe Road Freight Transportation market predicts substantial growth, with market size projected to soar to USD 658.54 Billion by 2033, a significant increase from the USD 481.51 Billion recorded in 2024. This expansion reflects an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.54% anticipated between 2025 and 2033.

The Europe Road Freight Transportation Market size to c

Number of Businesses statistics on the Freight Road Transport industry in the UK

The leading road hauliers in the United Kingdom (UK) have enjoyed a run of profitable years since 2008, achieving profit margins of between *** and **** percent during that time. The leading 100 road hauliers in the UK achieved a profit margin of *** percent during 2018.

Importance of road freight to the UK

Road freight is particularly important to transport in the United Kingdom. In 2017, transport volume in the road freight sector amounted to approximately ***** billion tonne-kilometres, significantly more than the ***** billion net tonne-kilometers moved by rail. This is in part due to the fact that the United Kingdom has one of the highest population densities in Europe. France, for example, has a population density of ****** people per square kilometer as of 2017, Spain had a density of **** people per square kilometer in the same year, and the Italian population density came in at ****** people per square kilometer.

Road freight to the EU

Transport of goods via road haulage is among the many areas the Brexit-watchers are likely to be observing keenly in the coming years. Although there has been a steady reduction in the amount of road freight transported to the EU-15 since the year 2000, the amount of freight transport since 2015 has increased slightly. **** million tonnes were transported to the EU-15 by UK goods vehicles in 2018, ******* tonnes more than the amount moved in 2015.

The United Kingdom freight and logistics market is a dynamic sector experiencing robust growth, driven by the country's robust e-commerce sector, increasing cross-border trade, and the expansion of manufacturing and retail industries. The market's size, while not explicitly stated, can be reasonably estimated based on comparable European markets and reported CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate). Assuming a moderate CAGR of 4% (a reasonable figure given the UK's economic performance and logistics infrastructure), and considering a plausible 2025 market value of approximately £150 billion (this is a reasoned estimate based on other developed economies with similar size and economic structures), the market is projected to expand significantly over the forecast period (2025-2033). Key growth drivers include the ongoing digitalization of logistics operations, increasing demand for efficient supply chain management solutions (including temperature-controlled warehousing), and the rise of last-mile delivery services catering to the booming e-commerce sector. The market is segmented by end-user industry (with significant contributions from retail, manufacturing, and construction), logistics function (road freight representing a large share due to its extensive road network), and by mode of transport (with road and sea transport dominating). However, the market also faces challenges, such as labor shortages, fluctuating fuel prices, and Brexit-related complexities impacting cross-border trade, particularly within the international segment. The segmentation of the UK freight and logistics market reveals opportunities for specialized service providers. For example, the growing demand for temperature-controlled warehousing presents significant prospects for companies specializing in cold chain logistics. The expansion of e-commerce fuels the growth in courier, express, and parcel (CEP) services, while the need for efficient and cost-effective freight forwarding solutions across various modes of transport remains a dominant market force. Competition is intense, with both global giants (DHL, FedEx, UPS) and regional players vying for market share. Strategies focused on technological innovation, enhanced supply chain visibility, and sustainable practices will be critical for success in this dynamic market. The forecast period (2025-2033) suggests continued growth, although economic fluctuations and evolving regulatory landscapes may impact the pace of expansion. Nevertheless, the UK's position as a major trading hub within Europe and globally ensures a sizeable and consistently evolving logistics market. Recent developments include: January 2024: Kuehne + Nagel has announced its Book & Claim insetting solution for electric vehicles, to improve its decarbonization solutions. Developing Book & Claim insetting solutions for road freight was a strategic priority for Kuehne + Nagel. Customers who use Kuehne + Nagel's road transport services can now claim the carbon reductions of electric trucks when it is not possible to physically move their goods on these vehicles.October 2023: Kuehne+Nagel has introduced three new charter connections between the Americas, Europe, and Asia. It has begun its operations with its own freighter, the B747-8 “Inspire”, from October 23, 2023. It has conducted two additional weekly routings from Atlanta and Chicago to Amsterdam and from there to Taipei. This flight will serve key industries such as healthcare, perishables and semiconductors.September 2023: Kuehne+Nagel and Capgemini have entered into a strategic agreement to create a supply chain orchestration service offering to provide end-to-end services across the supply chain network., The new strategic agreement combines Kuehne+Nagel’s logistics management and execution expertise with Capgemini’s state-of-the-art Intelligent Supply Chain Operations (ISCO) capabilities that deliver AI-enabled, cognitive, touchless operations and data-driven decision-making. The service is especially targeted towards large corporations from the consumer, healthcare, and industrial sectors.. Notable trends are: OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT.

In 2024, the rail freight transport market in the United Kingdom is estimated to reach around 1.4 billion British pounds. This represents an increase of some 100 million British pounds compared with the previous year.

The industry includes the land transport of passengers by urban or suburban transport systems. This includes different modes of land transport, such as by bus, tramway, taxi, underground and elevated railways. Road freight transport is also included in the industry.

In 2021, the air freight transport market in the United Kingdom dropped to ***** million British pounds. As air passenger traffic in the region decreased, airlines have shifted to providing cargo flights for the transportation of medical supplies.

The Bulk Freight Road Transport in the UK report contains historic and forward looking analysis written by our in-house team of industry analysts. This includes industry revenue and profit figures, available in table and chart format, with accompanying insights explaining the underlying industry trends.