United Kingdom Road Freight Transport Market Size

The United Kingdom's road freight transport sector is poised for growth, with its market size expected to expand significantly over the forecast period. This growth is driven by various factors, including the robust performance of the manufacturing sector, particularly in consumer goods, which plays a crucial role in the economy. The government's investment in digital technologies through initiatives like the Smart Manufacturing Data Hub is anticipated to enhance productivity and competitiveness, thereby impacting the transport market positively. Additionally, the thriving e-commerce industry, which has seen a substantial increase in online sales, further supports the expansion of the retail sector, contributing to the growth of the road freight transport market.

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Market Size of united kingdom road freight transport Industry

United Kingdom Road Freight Transport Market Summary
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Icons Lable Value
svg icon Study Period 2017 - 2030
svg icon Market Size (2024) USD 69.23 Billion
svg icon Market Size (2030) USD 81.69 Billion
svg icon Largest Share by End User Industry Manufacturing
svg icon CAGR (2024 - 2030) 2.80 %
svg icon Fastest Growing by End User Industry Wholesale and Retail Trade
svg icon Market Concentration Low

Major Players

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*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Key Players

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UK Road Freight Transport Market Analysis

The United Kingdom Road Freight Transport Market size is estimated at 69.23 billion USD in 2024, and is expected to reach 81.69 billion USD by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 2.80% during the forecast period (2024-2030).

69.23 Billion

Market Size in 2024 (USD)

81.69 Billion

Market Size in 2030 (USD)

2.30 %

CAGR (2017-2023)

2.80 %

CAGR (2024-2030)

Largest Market by Distance

71.48 %

value share, Long Haul, 2023

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Trade growth has positively impacted long-haul trucking in the country. For instance, in 2022, exports recorded a growth of 13.22% YoY in the country.

Largest Market by Goods Configuration

73.65 %

value share, Solid Goods, 2023

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Solid goods dominate the UK market as industries such as construction, apparel, machinery, electronics, and automobiles are included in the solid goods category.

Largest Market by End User Industry

40.40 %

value share, Manufacturing, 2023

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In 2022, the manufacturing sector played a significant role in the United Kingdom's economy, contributing over 8% to the GDP.

Fastest Growing Market by Truckload Specification

3.13 %

Projected CAGR, Less than-Truck-Load (LTL), 2024-2030

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Less-than truckload is growing significantly in the UK road freight transport market, as 85% of the domestic freight moved in the country is transported on roads.

First Leading Market Player

1.48 %

market share, Hoyer GmbH, 2022

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HOYER has around 39,900 tank containers and over 52,000 Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs). The company also has more than 2,200 trucks equipped with low-pollution engines.

Booming e-commerce sector demand is expected to drive the growth of the road freight transport market

  • In 2022, the manufacturing sector played a significant role in the United Kingdom's economy, contributing over 8% to the GDP, equivalent to around USD 270 billion. The dominant subset within manufacturing was consumer goods, commanding a substantial 72% share of market revenue. Some of the major players in road transportation are Deutsche Post DHL Group, FedEx, Turners (Soham) Limited, United Parcel Service (UPS), and Wincanton PLC.
  • With the new Smart Manufacturing Data Hub (SMDH), the UK government hopes to boost the "productivity and competitiveness" of manufacturing SMEs. The new hub and testbed are supported by USD 67.44 million in government funds and business co-investment. The funding is from the USD 404.68 million Made Smarter Innovation Challenge, which is intended to support the development and increased use of new and existing industrial digital technologies like artificial intelligence and virtual reality. Increased investment in this sector will have a direct impact on the road transport market.
  • The thriving e-commerce industry in Europe is bolstering the retail sector in the UK. In the realm of retail, online sales made up an impressive 30% of the total retail sales in the nation in 2021, a figure more than double compared to a decade ago. The outbreak of the coronavirus in 2020 led to a remarkable 47% surge in internet retail sales, marking the swiftest increase rate in the past decade. Although this rapid expansion was primarily influenced by the pandemic, the UK's e-commerce revenue is projected to experience consistent growth in the upcoming years across all market segments.
United Kingdom Road Freight Transport Market

United Kingdom Road Freight Transport Industry Segmentation UK Road Freight Transport Industry Segmentation

Agriculture, Fishing, and Forestry, Construction, Manufacturing, Oil and Gas, Mining and Quarrying, Wholesale and Retail Trade, Others are covered as segments by End User Industry. Domestic, International are covered as segments by Destination. Full-Truck-Load (FTL), Less than-Truck-Load (LTL) are covered as segments by Truckload Specification. Containerized, Non-Containerized are covered as segments by Containerization. Long Haul, Short Haul are covered as segments by Distance. Fluid Goods, Solid Goods are covered as segments by Goods Configuration. Non-Temperature Controlled, Temperature Controlled are covered as segments by Temperature Control.

  • In 2022, the manufacturing sector played a significant role in the United Kingdom's economy, contributing over 8% to the GDP, equivalent to around USD 270 billion. The dominant subset within manufacturing was consumer goods, commanding a substantial 72% share of market revenue. Some of the major players in road transportation are Deutsche Post DHL Group, FedEx, Turners (Soham) Limited, United Parcel Service (UPS), and Wincanton PLC.
  • With the new Smart Manufacturing Data Hub (SMDH), the UK government hopes to boost the "productivity and competitiveness" of manufacturing SMEs. The new hub and testbed are supported by USD 67.44 million in government funds and business co-investment. The funding is from the USD 404.68 million Made Smarter Innovation Challenge, which is intended to support the development and increased use of new and existing industrial digital technologies like artificial intelligence and virtual reality. Increased investment in this sector will have a direct impact on the road transport market.
  • The thriving e-commerce industry in Europe is bolstering the retail sector in the UK. In the realm of retail, online sales made up an impressive 30% of the total retail sales in the nation in 2021, a figure more than double compared to a decade ago. The outbreak of the coronavirus in 2020 led to a remarkable 47% surge in internet retail sales, marking the swiftest increase rate in the past decade. Although this rapid expansion was primarily influenced by the pandemic, the UK's e-commerce revenue is projected to experience consistent growth in the upcoming years across all market segments.
End User Industry
Agriculture, Fishing, and Forestry
Construction
Manufacturing
Oil and Gas, Mining and Quarrying
Wholesale and Retail Trade
Others
Destination
Domestic
International
Truckload Specification
Full-Truck-Load (FTL)
Less than-Truck-Load (LTL)
Containerization
Containerized
Non-Containerized
Distance
Long Haul
Short Haul
Goods Configuration
Fluid Goods
Solid Goods
Temperature Control
Non-Temperature Controlled
Temperature Controlled
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United Kingdom Road Freight Transport Market Size Summary

The United Kingdom's road freight transport market is poised for steady growth over the coming years, driven by various economic and industrial factors. The manufacturing sector, particularly consumer goods, plays a pivotal role in this market, supported by government initiatives like the Smart Manufacturing Data Hub, which aims to enhance productivity and competitiveness among SMEs. The burgeoning e-commerce industry further fuels the demand for road freight services, as online retail sales continue to expand. This growth is complemented by significant government investments in infrastructure to improve transportation connectivity and warehousing facilities, responding to challenges posed by global events such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The market is characterized by a fragmented landscape with major players like Deutsche Post DHL Group, FedEx, and Wincanton PLC, who are increasingly adopting sustainable practices, such as biomethane-fueled trucks, to reduce carbon emissions.

The market's expansion is also influenced by the rising number of large warehouses, which are increasingly being used as e-commerce fulfillment centers. This shift reflects the global trend towards consumer fulfillment, aligning with the growth of online shopping. However, the market faces challenges from fluctuating fuel prices, which are significantly impacted by government policies and global oil market dynamics. Despite these challenges, the road freight transport sector in the UK is expected to continue its upward trajectory, supported by technological advancements and strategic investments in sustainable logistics solutions. The market's growth is further bolstered by the increasing demand for efficient and environmentally friendly transportation options, as evidenced by initiatives like the introduction of electric vehicles for urban deliveries.

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United Kingdom Road Freight Transport Market Size - Table of Contents

  1. 1. MARKET SEGMENTATION (includes market size in Value in USD, Forecasts up to 2030 and analysis of growth prospects)

    1. 1.1 End User Industry

      1. 1.1.1 Agriculture, Fishing, and Forestry

      2. 1.1.2 Construction

      3. 1.1.3 Manufacturing

      4. 1.1.4 Oil and Gas, Mining and Quarrying

      5. 1.1.5 Wholesale and Retail Trade

      6. 1.1.6 Others

    2. 1.2 Destination

      1. 1.2.1 Domestic

      2. 1.2.2 International

    3. 1.3 Truckload Specification

      1. 1.3.1 Full-Truck-Load (FTL)

      2. 1.3.2 Less than-Truck-Load (LTL)

    4. 1.4 Containerization

      1. 1.4.1 Containerized

      2. 1.4.2 Non-Containerized

    5. 1.5 Distance

      1. 1.5.1 Long Haul

      2. 1.5.2 Short Haul

    6. 1.6 Goods Configuration

      1. 1.6.1 Fluid Goods

      2. 1.6.2 Solid Goods

    7. 1.7 Temperature Control

      1. 1.7.1 Non-Temperature Controlled

      2. 1.7.2 Temperature Controlled

United Kingdom Road Freight Transport Market Size FAQs

The United Kingdom Road Freight Transport Market size is expected to reach USD 69.23 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 2.80% to reach USD 81.69 billion by 2030.

In 2024, the United Kingdom Road Freight Transport Market size is expected to reach USD 69.23 billion.

UK Road Freight Transport Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts UP TO 2029