The TEG Road Transport Price Index rose by 3.9 points in April this year, to reach 123.8, putting transport prices year-on-year 4.21% above April 2024 index figures.
April saw the haulage price index rise more than the courier equivalent, up 5.7 points (4.83%) to 123.7, compared to a year ago, when it was 9.1 points (7.94%) higher.
Meanwhile, the courier index rose 2.1 points (1.72%) month-on-month; an annual increase of 0.81%.
Prices for the 13.6m artics on the road contributed to much of the haulage price increase, rising 5.3 points (4.76%).
Haulage price increases significantly outstripped courier price increases in April 2025, the index report noted.
“In March, any price increases due to a documented 37% increase in haulage demand were largely negated by a corresponding 31% increase in available haulage supply,” the report said.
“In contrast, last month, good weather and the Easter weekend increased year-on-year demand for haulage by 33% and year-on-year 13.6m artic demand by 45%, while supply simultaneously decreased:
“TEG data shows a marginal year-on-year decrease in overall available haulage capacity for April 25, as well as a 10.9% reduction in artic slack.”
The report attributed some of the rise to a late Easter coinciding with unseasonably warm and dry weather for April.
“This double whammy encouraged increased consumer spending on items such as food, drink, and leisure. It likely also prompted more substantial forms of consumption, such as the initiation of household building projects.
“The resulting uplift in haulage demand, with no tandem change in haulage supply, galvanised April haulage rates,” the report explained.
The report concluded by warning that operators need to ensure they are prepared for fluctuating supply and demand, particularly with the impact of the Trump administration on global trade.
“Demand for transportation, especially haulage, remains healthy, and 3PLs must have appropriate tools and processes in place to manage demand and supply efficiently and profitably.
“Advancing procurement technology can help 3PLs handle periods of increased demand with ease. TEG’s end-to-end logistics technology platform matches supply and demand in real time, allowing transport buyers to manage transport requirements efficiently and profitably,” the report advised.
Commenting on the latest index results, Kirsten Tisdale, Aricia senior logistics and supply chain consultant, said: “Overall retail footfall increased by 2% in the week that included Easter Monday, when compared with the equivalent week of 2024, as reported in the latest Economic Activity report from the ONS.
“But the TEG Haulier Index rise may also be due to inflation and general activity levels as much as to the late Easter.
“In 2019 when Easter was a day later than this year, the TEG Haulier Index went down a tiny bit month on month, whereas this year it’s gone up both against the month and by circa 8% compared with April last year. In these unpredictable times it can be difficult to pin down exact reasons.”
