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Polish trucking sector struggles as cost advantage erodes

Poland's road haulage industry, which tripled in size following EU accession in 2004 to capture roughly 20% of the European market, faces a severe contraction in 2026. More than 1,000 Polish haulage firms entered administration in the first half of the year, according to industry leaders. The sector's competitive edge has deteriorated as Poland's minimum wage nearly doubled since 2010, squeezing already-thin margins. Jan Buczek, president of the Alliance of Polish International Road Hauliers, warned operators are "functioning with no profit margin." Lithuanian and Romanian carriers have intensified competition, while unlicensed operators undercut rates. This has forced Polish hauliers to accept jobs below cost. Ukrainian competition presents another headwind for the struggling sector.