CZECH REPUBLIC FREIGHT AND LOGISTICS MARKET SIZE & SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS AND FORECAST (2025 - 2030)

Czech Republic Freight And Logistics Market Trends and Insights

Near-Shoring of German and CEE Manufacturing Supply Chains

German automotive and machinery firms continue relocating component production within 500 km of OEM plants, channeling new volumes into Czech cross-border lanes. BMW’s logistics complex in Mosnov illustrates this influx, while semiconductor and battery suppliers replicate the model to hedge geopolitical risk. The ensuing demand surge benefits full-truck-load operators, pallet networks, and value-added warehousing, though forecasts factor in potential volume loss if Germany’s insolvency wave trims procurement budgets.

Accelerated Digital Transformation and Logistics Automation Adoption

Labor scarcity and e-commerce fulfillment pressures are prompting operators to deploy AI warehouse management, IoT fleet telematics, and autonomous sorting. Investments topping EUR 500 million (USD 551.82 million) since 2024 have delivered 15-25% efficiency gains for early adopters. Zasilkovna’s Z-BOT pickup network, Rohlik Group’s Veloq fulfillment engine, and the EU Single Window customs platform collectively shorten cycle times and free capacity while mitigating border dwell lags^{[2]“Information Society in Figures 2024,” Czech Statistical Office, czso.cz}.

Record CZK 160 Billion (USD 7.14 Billion) Public-Works Budget for Road and Rail (2025)

Government funding underpins 100 km of new motorways, modernization of rail hubs, and the Brno–Prerov high-speed segment that frees freight paths on legacy lines. The Prague Ring Road expansion will absorb 70,000–80,000 vehicles daily by 2030, easing urban congestion and trimming drayage mileage for metropolitan distribution centers.

EU Green Deal Subsidies for Intermodal Shift and E-Truck Pilots

Policy incentives reimburse operators for combined-transport costs and electrified fleets, cutting door-to-door rates by an estimated 10% over seven years. CD Cargo’s purchase of 25 electric locomotives and 200 wagons, DHL’s carbon-neutral warehouse retrofits, and Ostrava Mosnov’s tri-modal gateway all align with 90% emission-reduction targets by 2050.

Acute Driver Shortage Limiting Fleet Capacity

Roughly 20,000 vacancies, in line with a regional deficit of 400,000 drivers, curb fleet utilization and inflate wages above CZK 41,739 (USD 1,864.42) per month. Recruitment of non-EU labor from the Philippines mitigates gaps but adds onboarding costs and training lead times, while demographic attrition continues to exceed 8% annually. Delivery delays and higher spot rates ripple through retail replenishment and just-in-time manufacturing schedules^{[3]“Driver shortage crisis deepens across Europe 2024,” European Transport Workers’ Federation, etf-europe.org}.

Rising Motorway Tolls Increasing Operating Costs

The 5% toll hike effective January 2025 raises per-kilometer charges to as high as EUR 0.33 (USD 0.36) for EURO VI tractor-trailers, coinciding with fuel at USD 1.63 per liter. Smaller haulers struggle to pass through costs, prompting route re-optimization toward rail or bi-modal solutions on high-volume corridors. CO₂-rating surcharges now apply even to zero-emission trucks, narrowing operating savings and reinforcing the case for scale economies.

Segment Analysis

By End User Industry: Manufacturing Drives Growth Amid Retail Resilience

Wholesale and retail trade accounted for 30.53% of the Czech Republic freight and logistics market share in 2024, underpinned by e-commerce penetration of 18.5% and a dense network of 1.3 million m² of retail parks. Manufacturing is projected to record a 3.43% CAGR (2025-2030), buoyed by OnSemi’s USD 2 billion silicon-carbide plant and automotive recovery, positioning the segment to capture incremental cross-border tonnage and value-added warehousing demand.

Construction and Agriculture maintain steady lift factors through infrastructure spending and food-chain distribution, while Oil & Gas logistics benefit from the TAL pipeline expansion that cuts dependency on Russian crude. The Czech Republic freight and logistics market size for manufacturing is expected to rise in tandem with global supply-chain re-design, keeping contract logistics growth ahead of GDP. Wholesale and Retail providers seek same-day urban delivery, micro-fulfillment, and omnichannel returns processing, adding margin pressure but fueling demand for automation and temperature-controlled capacity for fresh groceries. Export-oriented manufacturers leverage predictive analytics and vendor-managed inventory to offset input-price volatility, reinforcing the need for multimodal, resilient networks.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Logistics Function: Freight Transport Dominates Amid CEP Acceleration

Freight transport accounted for 45.56% of the Czech Republic freight and logistics market share in 2024, underscoring its foundational role in supporting export-oriented manufacturing and intra-EU trade. Road freight transport retained an 88.90% slice of freight transport revenue thanks to dense highway links and flexible scheduling that rival modes cannot match. Rail moved significant volume and is expected to grow as new electric locomotives and intermodal wagons come online. Pipeline flows remain strategic for refined-product distribution, while sea and inland waterways contributed less volume through Danube corridors that offer lower-carbon bulk transport. Air freight focused on semiconductor equipment, pharmaceuticals, and high-value automotive components funneled through Prague’s Vaclav Havel Airport.

Courier, Express, and Parcel is the fastest-growing logistics function with a 3.62% CAGR (2025-2030) outlook, driven by 18.5% e-commerce penetration and rising demand for next-day deliveries across urban and rural routes. International CEP volumes are projected to expand at 3.74% CAGR (2025-2030), outpacing domestic traffic as cross-border marketplace orders flow from Germany, Austria, and the Balkans. Temperature-controlled warehousing expects a steady 3.40% CAGR (2025-2030), providing pharmaceutical and grocery chains with compliant cold-chain infrastructure. Digitalization accelerates segment efficiency: the New Computerized Transit System Phase 5 now processes more than 85% of transit declarations electronically, trimming clearance times and smoothing door-to-door CEP hand-offs. Collectively, these dynamics keep Freight Transport at the core of the Czech Republic freight and logistics market size while allowing CEP and value-added services to capture incremental growth.

By Courier, Express, and Parcel: International Growth Outpaces Domestic Expansion

Courier, Express, and Parcel services are set to expand at a 3.62% CAGR (2025-2030), outperforming the broader Czech Republic freight and logistics market. Domestic CEP retained 62.84% of volumes in 2024 thanks to Zasilkovna’s 9,900 pickup points and robotic lockers, yet international flows to Germany, Austria, and the Balkans are expected to grow faster at 3.74% between 2025-2030. 

Accelerated mobile commerce adoption, 84% online shopper penetration, and digital marketplace integration elevate parcel density across rural routes, spurring investments in automated sorters and AI-driven route engines. The EU Single Window customs interface will further compress clearance times, giving Czech operators a competitive edge in cross-border e-commerce fulfillment.

By Warehousing and Storage: Non-Temperature-Controlled Facilities Dominate Market

Non-temperature-controlled warehouses captured 92.37% of the 2024 segment revenue, mirroring broad-based demand from manufacturing, retail, and distribution. Vacancy below 3% in Prague and Brno pushes rents to record highs, prompting speculative builds and peripheral site development.

Temperature-controlled space is on a 3.40% CAGR (2025-2030) projected trajectory, driven by pharmaceutical cold chains and fresh food delivery. Automation, robotic pick systems, AS/RS technology, and AI inventory tools mitigate labor shortages, while carbon-neutral retrofits such as DHL’s Pohorelice site align with EU sustainability mandates.

By Freight Transport: Road Dominance Faces Intermodal Competition

Road freight transport remained the backbone with 88.90% revenue share in 2024, though the Czech Republic's freight and logistics industry is witnessing incremental rail uptake through CD Cargo’s electrified fleet and new intermodal wagons. Air freight transport is anticipated to record a 3.55% CAGR (2025-2030), propelled by semiconductor equipment imports and outbound high-tech exports. 

Rail freight’s projected 111.8 million tons by 2030 underscores gradual structural change, while pipeline and inland waterways retain niche but strategic roles in energy and bulk commodities. Toll surcharges and carbon pricing are nudging shippers to blend modes, yet road flexibility and last-mile convenience ensure its continued predominance.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Freight Forwarding: Air Freight Forwarding Services Lead Despite Modal-Shift Pressures

Air freight forwarding represented 50.06% of segment revenue in 2024, reflecting Prague Airport’s status as a regional gateway for high-value electronics, automotive parts, and pharmaceuticals. The Czech Republic freight and logistics market size for air freight forwarding is expected to climb steadily, even as Green Deal incentives encourage modal diversification. 

Sea and inland-waterway freight forwarding, currently smaller in value, is poised for the quickest 3.34% CAGR (2025-2030) via Danube linkages that offer cost-efficient bulk transport. Digital freight platforms, NCTS Phase 5 paperless transit, and DSV’s post-merger network optimization are enhancing multimodal connectivity and visibility across the supply chain.

Geography Analysis

Prague anchors the Czech Republic freight and logistics market thanks to Vaclav Havel Airport’s cargo facilities and D1/D5 highway spurs into Germany and Austria. Zero vacancy for luxury retail on Parizska Street and consistent 1–3% annual rent growth confirm sustained demand for prime urban space. Brno serves advanced manufacturing clusters but faces heavier last-mile costs from urban HGV restrictions that shift fulfillment to peri-urban warehouses.

Ostrava’s forthcoming tri-modal hub leverages its border-zone placement and university talent base, offering rail, road, and air synergies attractive to automotive and heavy-industry shippers. The Plzen region mirrors Prague’s industrial real-estate appetite, benefiting from West Bohemia University’s engineering pipeline and direct motorway links.

Cross-border flows capitalize on the EU Single Window customs platform, reducing document duplication and accelerating throughput. METRANS operates over 650 weekly trains across 20 terminals, progressing toward CO₂-neutral traction and expanding network resiliency. Trade statistics with 2023 exports at USD 253.3 billion and imports at USD 228.9 billion underscore the scale of logistics volumes funneled through Czech corridors^{[4]“Digital Czech Republic 2.0 Strategy,” Ministry of Industry and Trade, mpo.cz}.