More than 1 1000 Polish transport companies have disappeared from the marketplace since the beginning of 2026, and ZMPD on September 17 demanded Prime Minister Donald Tusk to cover road transport with a shielding program. With fuel accounting for more than 30% of costs, the manufacture warns against further bankruptcies, failure of the EU marketplace and more costly goods for Poles.
A 1000 companies less, over 40,000 under pressure
The Association of global Road Carriers in Poland reported, that according to the data of the Main Inspectorate of Road Transport in 2026 more than a 1000 companies have already disappeared from the global road transport market. Jan Buczek, president of ZMPD, directed a letter to Prime Minister Donald Tusk on September 17. It requests that transport be covered by a cover programme at a level corresponding to aid to agriculture.
The scale of the problem does not let the appeal to be dismissed as a specified manufacture dispute. In Poland there are inactive more than 40,000 companies operating global road transport. These are Polish capital, jobs and taxation revenues. erstwhile the carrier closes the company, its marketplace share takes over competition from abroad and the cost of deliveries sooner or later reaches the price paid by the customer.
ZMPD indicates that fuel is already liable for more than 30 percent of the cost of operating carriers. The organization besides stated that on 16 September the wholesale price of Orlen Ekodiesel amounted to PLN 7489 per cubic metre. 1 day it increased by 15.7% and since the beginning of the 38th week of the year by 22.3 percent. With specified a fast change, even a company with orders and an efficient fleet can start carrying transports below costs.
Polish transport loses its position in the Union
The crisis did not begin with the last increase in stations. In a letter to the PM, ZMPD recalled Eurostat data published in August. The transport work of Polish companies on the European Union marketplace fell by 3.2% year-on-year in 2025 erstwhile the average for all EU countries was 1.1% decrease. The number of cabotage services decreased by 4.9%, and cross-trade, i.e. transport, among another associate States, decreased by 11.3 percent.
It is simply a failure of the market, which Polish entrepreneurs have earned over the years work, organization and lower costs. present the predominance is melting under force of fuel prices, road charges, labour costs and subsequent decarbonisation requirements. Brussels's transport cost-raising policy is peculiarly hard hit by companies from countries that have built a position on road transport. In this situation, the Polish government should defend the native sector alternatively than simply observing statistics.
The usual fuel clauses don't solve the case. Part of the contracts let to adjust the freight rate with the price of diesel, but not all carrier can transfer the increase to the payer. Weaker companies negociate from a petent position. Thus, they cover the difference from their own margin or capital until they lose liquidity.
The temporary CPN did not safe the industry
The government's “Prices of Fuel lower” programme last operated from August 17 to 31. Ministry of Energy set the first day of the programme the maximum price of diesel at PLN 7.37 per litre, reduced VAT on fuels from 23 to 8 percent and allocated to a two-week cover of nearly half a billion PLN. The mechanics expired at the end of the holiday. The September advanced wholesale diesel price has shown that ad hoc intervention does not give companies the basis for cost planning.
Since March, the manufacture has been calling for the return of part of the excise work included in the fuel purchased in Poland for professional transport. The MPD argues that akin solutions are utilized by competitors in another EU countries. This request requires a calculation of the cost to the budget and the hard conditions for the aid to go to the actual carriers. However, he deserves a serious answer, not an authoritative silence.
Business problems don't end with the distributor. president ZMPD pointed out the waiting for temporary residence cards for employed drivers, expanding contributions and retained work on the list of deficit professions. O missing 100 to 120 1000 professional drivers The manufacture has already alarmed. The State so imposes costs and maintains administrative barriers, after which it reacts only erstwhile the crisis comes to the front.
Prices and economical sovereignty are at stake
Road transport spins home production, trade and exports. The collapse of a tiny shipping company does not end with its owner. It means little Polish entities in the supply chain, more dependence on abroad operators and force on food and another goods prices. A dispute over liability for fuel prices may not replace economical decisions.
Donald Tusk received a circumstantial appeal and circumstantial data. The government should present a calculated temporary aid mechanics linked to the acquisition of fuel in Poland, while removing administrative blockades of drivers. The protection of Polish transport is not a handout if it serves to keep competitiveness in a abrupt cost shock. He is simply a defence of national economical interest.
Source: ZMPD, a letter from Jan Buczek to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, ZMPD, data on the increase in wholesale diesel price, Ministry of Energy, CPN rules.
Source: Bankier.pl
