Pre-Christmas road freight prices on the rise as courier prices rocket

This is the first November rise since 2019, but prices remain lower than the same period in the previous two years.

November figures show a rise of 1.4% from 120.5 to 122.2. This was largely due to a notable jump in courier prices, increasing 125.5 to 128 points (2.0%). Haulage prices also increased slightly, rising 0.6 points from 114.8 to 115.4 during November.

In contrast, fuel prices have dropped in the height of peak season, which will come as welcome news to operators reigning in expenditure during the most expensive period of the year.

Following recent legislation forcing fuel retailers to display fuel prices online, current petrol prices are at £151.02 (-2.65% change), with diesel prices at £158.97 (-1.98% change). With motorists able to shop around, the initiative looks to be a success with prices down an average of 20.79% from last year.

The last year has proved exceptionally challenging for many UK hauliers. Data collated by accountancy firm Price Bailey showed twice as many going bust in the last 12 months as two years ago.

The industry has been struggling with a number of factors including soaring overheads and interest rate hikes which have made servicing debt increasingly expensive.

The data report noted particular risk for London-based haulage businesses, with 41% currently classified as maximum risk versus 26% this time last year. This trend will undoubtedly spread across the UK, with pressures mounting as a result of untenable operational costs.

Lyall Cresswell, chief exectuive of Transport Exchange Group, said: “We’ve seen rising prices over the last month, when typically prices experience a dip at this point in the pre-Christmas busy season. It will be interesting to see if this head start in prices rising pushes December prices up even further. Fortunately, fuel prices are continuing to drop and road freight prices remain lower than last year, so we are entering 2024 with cautious optimism.

“As we look towards next year, we’re hopeful that government promises to the haulage sector will be upheld and that we will see notable progress in the proposed initiatives to accelerate net-zero efforts.

“While the recent Autumn Statement was lacking in significant support for the industry, we are confident that the new year will bring many exciting opportunities, and that 2024 will be a better year for the road freight industry.”

Added Kirsten Tisdale,dDirector oflLogistics consultants Aricia Limited and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport: ”Despite volumes being (a very believable) 10% down this year according to Richard Smith, MD of the RHA, and diesel being deflationary compared to a year ago, the TEG haulage price index rose very slightly, narrowing the gap on last year’s figure.

“The courier index was more buoyant, nearly closing the recent gap against last year, which may have something to do with the timing of Black Friday.”