1234 haulage companies in Poland ceased operating in Q1 2026
According to ZMPD, as many haulage companies left the market in Q1 2026 as in the whole of the previous year. We explain what lies behind the decline.
The Polish haulage industry, until now one of the pillars of our economy, has found itself in an exceptionally difficult position. Data from the Association of International Road Carriers (ZMPD) for the first quarter of 2026 show that this short period cost the market as many businesses as disappeared over the whole of last year.
The main sources of the problems
- The international situation – alongside the difficulties caused by the war in Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East have become a challenge.
- Economic slowdown in Europe – weaker markets have translated into a marked fall in demand for haulage services.
- Growing competition – the market is oversupplied, so there are fewer orders than hauliers have capacity to carry.
The fight for survival
Hauliers are fighting to survive, often cutting their prices to the bare minimum. The problems have been building for some time, and current market conditions are exceptionally tough.
Because of falling order volumes and rising costs, many companies are reducing the number of lorries they run. Keeping vehicles working continuously is becoming crucial, so orders are carried out even for a minimal profit. If the economic situation in Europe does not improve in the coming months, the number of firms being wound up may continue to grow.