Central And Eastern Europe Freight & Logistics Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts

Central And Eastern Europe Freight And Logistics Market Trends and Insights

European Union TEN-T Corridor Upgrades Enabling Intermodal Efficiencies

The latest Trans-European transport network (TEN-T) financing round earmarked EUR 2.5 billion (USD 2.75 billion) for CEE projects in 2024, accelerating European rail traffic management system (ERTMS) deployment and cutting cross-border rail dwell times by up to 30%^{[1]Connecting Europe Facility, “2021–2027 CEF Transport Funding Overview,” cinea.ec.europa.eu}. Operators on the Warsaw-Berlin and Budapest-Vienna routes report 15-20% efficiency gains, underpinning new rail-road service offerings that deepen the Central and Eastern Europe freight and logistics market’s multimodal capabilities. Improved connectivity allows Polish terminals to funnel higher China-Europe rail volumes into adjacent Czech and Slovak hubs, creating network effects that sustain rate stability during seasonal peaks. Revised Combined Transport Directive targets further incentivize shippers to shift medium-distance traffic from road to rail, fostering long-run carbon and cost savings^{[2]BusinessEurope, “Combined Transport Directive Update,” businesseurope.eu} .

German Auto Supply Chains Shift Closer to Home with Poland and Slovakia in Focus

Hyundai, Vitesco Technologies, and Chassix have collectively slated more than EUR 576 million (USD 635.69 million) toward new CEE plants, reinforcing the local production ecosystem for battery systems and powertrains. Hungary alone secured USD 18.8 billion in electromobility FDI, positioning the country among Europe’s battery capitals. Relocated tier-1 suppliers require bonded, temperature-controlled freight and specialized warehousing, with lifting demand elasticity across road, rail, and air modes within the Central and Eastern Europe freight and logistics market. Slovakia’s favorable tax framework and Poland’s established automotive clusters cultivate dense distribution lanes that benefit freight forwarders specializing in time-critical deliveries to German assembly plants.

China–Europe Rail Freight Growth Witnessed via New Silk Road

Rail services handled more than 2 million TEUs and completed 19,000 westbound trips in 2024, a 10% annual increase. Warsaw, Łódź, and Małaszewicze now anchor distribution to Western Europe, trimming transit to 10-15 days, half the maritime alternative. Average rail freight rates sit 59% below sea freight rates, catalyzing modal shift for electronics and apparel shippers. New southern corridors skirting Russia, such as the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan rail project, promise 15 million tons of new capacity, further embedding CEE terminals within Eurasian supply chains. Enhanced depot handling fosters higher container utilization, lifting asset turns, and strengthens the Central and Eastern Europe freight and logistics market over the medium term.

European Union Green Deal Modal Shift Funding to Rail and Waterways

Rail freight has a target to rise by 50% by 2030 from 2019 levels, to meet EU climate goals, and over EUR 9 billion (USD 9.93 billion) in state aid has been unlocked to stimulate that transition^{[3]Florence School of Regulation, “EU State Aid for Rail Freight,” fsr.eui.eu}. Inland waterway megaprojects, such as the Seine-North Europe Canal due by 2030, extend green corridors into Central Europe. CEE governments leverage these funds to upgrade Danube locks and river ports, enabling longer barge convoys that reduce per-unit emissions and costs. The resulting capacity expansion paves the way for combined rail-river services, helping logistics providers diversify route offerings while aligning with shippers’ decarbonization targets.

Chronic Driver Shortage Noticed in CEE Road Haulage

EU-wide driver gaps topped 233,000 positions in 2024, with Czech transport associations citing 25,000 vacancies locally. The average driver age now exceeds 50, and stricter rest-time mandates under the EU Mobility Package squeeze fleet productivity. Wage inflation of 15-20% annually elevates road freight tariffs, potentially nudging shippers toward rail and intermodal options. Several Polish carriers have introduced advanced driver assistance Systems (ADAS) and autonomous trials on controlled corridors, though full commercial roll-out remains years away. Persistent shortages weigh on the Central and Eastern Europe freight and logistics market’s capacity ceiling and service reliability.

Border Congestion Witnessed at EU External Frontiers

EU entry/exit system (EES) and European travel information and authorization system (ETIAS) requirements are set to lengthen customs procedures in 2025, adding 2-4 hours at eastern crossings^{[4]European Parliament, “EES and ETIAS Implementation Timeline,” europarl.europa.eu}. Industry operators seek “green lanes” for commercial flows, warning that permanent border checks would disrupt just-in-time deliveries to German and Italian plants. Security-related inspections after the Ukraine conflict further stress infrastructure, compelling carriers to reroute via less congested posts, thereby increasing mileage and fuel costs. These delays particularly harm temperature-sensitive cargo and high-value inventory movements within the Central and Eastern Europe freight and logistics market.

Segment Analysis

By End User Industry: Wholesale and Retail Trade Leadership with Continued Acceleration

Wholesale and retail trade dominated with a 30.51% share in 2024 and is projected to grow at a 3.21% CAGR (2025-2030) as e-commerce gross merchandise value (GMV) hits USD 42.9 billion. Big-box and grocery chains are overhauling distribution centers to meet same-day delivery benchmarks, injecting automation spending into the Central and Eastern Europe freight and logistics market. 

Manufacturing followed at 29.05% in 2024, largely on the back of auto and electronics clusters. Battery gigafactories in Poland and Hungary drive specialized inbound flows, including lithium-ion cells that demand ADR-compliant, temperature-controlled transport, boosting premium yields for operators.  

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

By Logistics Function: Freight Transport Dominance Amid CEP Acceleration

Freight transport captured 65.13% of 2024 revenue, underscoring its foundational role in meeting manufacturing and distribution needs across the Central and Eastern Europe Freight and Logistics market. Road, rail, and intermodal carriers benefit from robust cross-border trade, particularly along Poland–Germany lanes. The Central and Eastern Europe freight and logistics market size is projected to grow, supported by automotive nearshoring and Eurasian rail flows. CEP, although smaller, is rising fastest; automation in parcel hubs and expansion of pick-up point networks shorten delivery cycles and fuel a 3.44% CAGR (2025-2030). Digital platforms enable real-time price discovery and capacity matching, allowing forwarders to integrate Freight Transport and CEP services under unified dashboards. The interplay of these services underpins flexible, end-to-end solutions that attract multinational shippers seeking resilience.

Historical resilience is evident: sovereignty-related challenges and pandemic shocks slowed activity in 2020, yet e-commerce growth spurred the CEP segment’s share in 2024. Warehousing and storage posted stable, mid-single-digit growth as omnichannel retailers demanded higher inventory buffers. Freight Forwarding added value through trade route diversification, with digital brokers exploiting API connectivity to airlines and rail operators, an emerging differentiator in the Central and Eastern Europe freight and logistics industry.

By Courier, Express, and Parcel (CEP): Domestic Dominance with International Growth

Domestic CEP held 65.53% of segment revenue in 2024 across the Central and Eastern Europe Freight and Logistics market, benefiting from dense locker networks and competitive same-day propositions. Innovations such as electronic parcel boxes in multi-family buildings expand consumer convenience, reinforcing volume growth. International CEP, however, posts a superior 3.58% CAGR (2025-2030) as cross-border sellers tap EU customs-free flows and marketplace integrations simplify checkout. Providers differentiate on predictive delivery windows and carbon-neutral options, aligning with consumer sustainability priorities.

Dynamic routing algorithms lower empty miles, improving margins even as unit prices decline. Expansion into micro-hubs near city centers mitigates traffic restrictions under low-emission zone rules. Platform interoperability lets retailers aggregate domestic and international consignments, generating economies of scale that strengthen the Central and Eastern Europe freight and logistics market’s parcel ecosystem.

By Warehousing and Storage: Non-Temperature Controlled Leadership with Cold-Chain Expansion

Non-Temperature Controlled facilities covered 91.43% of the share in 2024 across the Central and Eastern Europe Freight and Logistics market, fueled by continuous demand from manufacturing, general merchandise, and spare parts flows. Developers prioritize Flexible Grade-A sheds with 12-meter clear heights and embedded solar rooftops, supporting automation and ESG metrics. Temperature-controlled warehousing, though only 8.57% of the share in 2024, is forecast to deliver a 2.81% CAGR (2025-2030), spurred by grocery delivery expansion and pharma cold-chain mandates.

Rental premiums for cold stores exceed premiums for ambient space, reflecting high fit-out costs. Robots and shuttle systems improve pick rates, enabling 24/7 fulfillment for urban grocery chains. The Central and Eastern Europe freight and logistics market benefits from emerging subterranean warehouses in land-scarce capitals, where automated lifts mitigate footprint constraints while preserving energy usage targets.

By Freight Transport Mode: Road Leadership Challenged by Air Growth

Road freight transport retained a dominant 74.89% share in 2024 across the Central and Eastern Europe freight and logistics market, thanks to extensive highway networks and flexible “door-to-door” coverage. The Central and Eastern Europe freight and logistics market size for road freight transport is expected to reach USD 89.12 billion by 2030, yet its CAGR trails air and rail segments, partly due to driver scarcity. Air freight transport, although it has less share, it outpaces all modes with a 4.55% CAGR (2025-2030), riding high-value electronics, pharma, and e-commerce flows through Warsaw-Frederic Chopin and Prague-Václav Havel airports. Cargo-only aircraft deployments and belly hold utilization agreements expand slots and stabilize rates.

Rail’s freight transport accounts for 15.18% of load picked (tons) in 2024 but commands 27.30% of ton-km moved, illustrating its cost-effective long-haul proposition. ERTMS and digital automatic coupling enhance rail capacity, positioning rail as a greener substitute for medium-haul lanes. Sea and inland waterways freight transport complement export programs for grain and bulk goods via the Danube, while pipelines ensure steady hydrocarbon deliveries amid energy diversification moves. Collectively, these shifts elevate modal choice and pressure incumbent road carriers to digitize and decarbonize.

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

By Freight Forwarding Mode: Sea and Waterways Lead with Air Acceleration

Sea and inland waterways freight forwarding held 50.16% of revenue in 2024 across the Central and Eastern Europe Freight and Logistics market, leveraging cost-efficient long-haul options through Black Sea and Baltic gateways. Forwarders integrate barge legs with short-sea feeder loops, optimizing total landed cost for heavy commodities. Air freight forwarding enjoys a 3.95% CAGR (2025-2030), strengthened by pharmaceutical and electronics traffic requiring strict temperature and security controls. The Central and Eastern Europe freight and logistics market size for air freight forwarding could top USD 2.94 billion by 2030 as capacity additions at Riga, Budapest, and Warsaw airports mature.

Hybrid door-to-door rail products capture shippers looking to balance cost and speed. Digital native forwarders leverage API connections to airlines and rail operators, offering instantaneous quotes and milestone monitoring. Traditional forwarders respond through acquisitions and proprietary software rollouts to preserve their share within an increasingly tech-driven competitive field.

Geography Analysis

Poland commanded 32.80% of the Central and Eastern Europe freight and logistics market in 2024, leveraging over 33.52 million m² of modern warehouse space and two of the most active rail gateways on the China–Europe corridor. Continual e-commerce expansion and automotive investments sustain double-digit warehouse absorption in Warsaw and Upper Silesia. Stable growth is projected through 2030, supported by EU infrastructure grants that harmonize Polish highways with German and Baltic networks.

Romania and the Czech Republic follow as the second and third-largest markets, drawing on Danube barge connectivity and gateway positioning to Western Europe. Their historic reliance on volume has evolved toward value-added logistics, with robotics and green warehousing becoming standard specifications. Czech logistics parks around Prague absorb spillover from Germany, while Romania anchors grain exports along the lower Danube.

Bulgaria is forecast to grow at the fastest 3.37% CAGR between 2025-2030, buoyed by Black Sea port upgrades and rising Balkan transit traffic. The government’s digital-economy agenda attracts AI and semiconductor projects, spurring demand for secure, high-spec warehouses. Slovakia and Hungary specialize in battery logistics and automotive flows, harnessing USD 18.8 billion in electromobility FDI. The Baltic states serve as gateways to Nordic trade, with Estonia positioning air cargo corridors for high-tech shipments. Western Balkan nations, aided by TEN-T expansion, are integrating gradually into EU freight corridors, upgrading border crossings to alleviate congestion.