The Polish road transport sector, the leader in European road transport, is now facing a number of structural problems. The war in Ukraine has only exacerbated the driver shortage that has been affecting the sector for several years now. Drivers' wage demands, an overhaul of the system for granting daily travel allowances, bonuses and additional paid leave offered to retain drivers have led to an increase in driver costs of nearly 24% between 2019 and 2022. Successive increases in the minimum wage, which will continue in 2023 and 2024 and are planned for 2025, are expected to bring Polish wage levels close to southern European standards. 

In terms of kilometres, the total cost of the Polish flag has skyrocketed, rising by +29.1% in three years to exceed €1/km. According to forecasts by ZMPD, the powerful Polish transport federation, this cost is expected to reach €1.20 by the end of 2024. 

Weakened by this context, Polish transport companies are seeking to make savings by investing in second-hand equipment and exploiting new sources of labour from Asia, which are distant but more abundant. The beginning of consolidation in the road transport sector is also evident in this country, which has always been characterised by a high degree of fragmentation among its companies.