Slight Decline in Road Freight Tonnage in the EU for 2024 and Its Logistics Implications

Understanding the 2024 Shift in EU Road Freight Transport

In 2024, the European Union saw a 0.7% decrease in the volume of goods transported by road, measured in tonnes, compared to the previous year. While this might raise eyebrows, it’s important to understand the bigger picture: since 2020, road freight volumes have been climbing at a steady average annual rate of 0.1%. So this slight dip is more of a hiccup than a trend reversal.

Main Cargo Categories on the Road

The types of goods carried by road paint a vivid picture of EU freight priorities. Leading the pack were minerals, metal products, and quarry materials, hauling a staggering 3.01 billion tonnes—making up 23.0% of total road freight tonnage. Next up were food, beverages, and tobacco with 1.59 billion tonnes (12.2%), closely followed by non-metallic mineral products at 1.56 billion tonnes (11.9%).

Table 1: Top Product Groups by Road Freight Tonnage in the EU (2024)

Performance in Tonnes-Kilometres: A Different Perspective

Road freight isn’t just about how many tonnes are moved—it’s also about how far they travel. In 2024, the total performance in tonnes-kilometres (tkm) across the EU actually edged up by 0.7% compared to 2023. This suggests that while the sheer weight of goods decreased slightly, they may have been transported over longer distances or covered more logistics ground overall.

Leading Categories in Road Freight Performance

By tkm, food, beverages, and tobacco took the top spot with 312.2 billion tkm, accounting for 16.7% of total EU road freight performance. Close behind were grouped goods (different types bundled together), summing up to 236.5 billion tkm (12.7%), and agricultural products, hunting, forestry, and fishing goods with 207.6 billion tkm (11.1%).

Hazardous Goods Transport: Regional Variations and Trends

When it comes to transporting hazardous materials—think flammable liquids, toxic substances, and explosives—the EU landscape varies quite a bit.

Countries Leading in Hazardous Goods Road Transport (as % of total road freight):

• Finland: Highest share at 8.4%
• Belgium: 6.4%
• Denmark: 5.6%

On the flip side, Lithuania, Portugal, and Slovakia stuck to low proportions under 2.0% both in 2023 and 2024.

Growth Rates in Hazardous Freight (2020–2024)

Most EU countries (15 out of 27) experienced positive annual growth in this segment, with standout spikes in:

• Bulgaria: +13.0% average yearly increase
• Rumänien: +9.6%
• Lithuania: +8.1%

Conversely, declines flagged in a few countries, prominently:

• Portugal: -11.6% annual decrease
• Croatia: -11.3%
• Cypern: -11.2%
• Luxembourg: -10.8%

What Does This Mean for Logistics?

Even a modest drop in freight tonnage signals waves under the surface in Europe’s logistics ecosystem. The rise in tonnes-kilometres might hint that freight movements are becoming more stretched geographically, possibly due to supply chain adjustments or shifting trade routes. Meanwhile, hazardous goods transport reflects a complex interplay of industrial activity and regional regulatory frameworks.

For logistics providers and shippers, these nuances underscore the need for adaptable strategies that balance volume with distance efficiency and compliance with safety norms. In this fluid market, platforms like GetTransport.com can be game-changers. By connecting shippers with affordable and reliable cargo transport services worldwide, GetTransport.com offers everything from household moves to heavy freight hauling. This flexibility supports dynamic supply chains that must pivot quickly in response to changing freight flows.

Summary Table: Key Freight Metrics EU 2024

Real-World Impact: Why Numbers Only Tell Part of the Story

While statistics and reviews provide valuable signposts, nothing beats the wisdom gleaned from firsthand experience. Each freight run, each haul, brings its own challenges and insights—and that’s where platforms providing transparent, efficient, and cost-effective service come into their own.

GetTransport.com embodies this approach by offering a wide range of cargo transportation options across the globe with a keen eye on affordability and reliability. With a transparent marketplace, shippers can avoid nasty surprises, choosing services aligned with their budgets and schedules. This is especially crucial in an era where every logistical inch counts.

Book your cargo transportation at the best global prices and take advantage of convenience, competitive rates, and extensive transport choices at GetTransport.com. Book your Ride.

Looking Ahead for European Road Freight and Logistics

The slight dip in freight tonnage in 2024 is unlikely to send shockwaves through global logistics, but it serves as a timely reminder of the ongoing shifts within the transport landscape. As freight distances grow and dangerous goods transport patterns change across the continent, logistics players must keep their fingers on the pulse and anticipate evolving demand.

GetTransport.com stays ahead of these trends, ensuring that shippers and carriers alike can navigate changes while optimizing their cargo movements. Start planning your next delivery and secure your freight shipments with GetTransport.com.

Slutsats

The 2024 European Union road freight data reveal a modest decline in transported tonnage balanced by a slight increase in transport performance, reflecting longer shipment distances. Mining and mineral products dominate the cargo sector by volume, while food and beverages top the performance charts in tonne-kilometres. Hazardous goods transport varies widely across member countries, with some experiencing robust growth and others facing declines.

For the logistics sector, these developments highlight the importance of flexible and efficient freight solutions that can adjust to both volume and geographical shifts. Whether moving bulky items, containers, or smaller parcels, leveraging platforms that provide reliable and affordable transport services becomes increasingly valuable.

GetTransport.com perfectly fits this landscape by delivering seamless, cost-effective cargo and freight transportation globally, supporting everything from house moves to commercial haulage. By simplifying logistics and offering extensive options, it empowers customers to optimize their shipping needs without breaking the bank.