Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2016-2031)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 1.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €57.7bn in 2026.
Trends and Insights
The declining volume of foreign trade is weakening demand for road freight transport and increasing the pressure to improve efficiency
- In 2023, German exports fell by around 2% and imports by 10%, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office. Trade volumes also remained in decline in 2024, with exports falling by 1% and imports by 2.8%. In June 2025, the Kiel Institute forecast a 0.4% decline in German exports for 2025 as a whole due to US tariffs, international uncertainty and increased competition from China. For 2026, the Kiel Institute anticipates a moderate recovery and export growth of 1.2%.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2026-2031)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Demand for the transport of building materials for residential construction is likely to fall in future
- The German Economic Institute (IW) is forecasting only around 215,000 completed flats in Germany in 2026, which corresponds to a decline of 8.5% compared to 2025. The main reasons for this are the continued decline in the number of building permits for new residential construction and longer construction times. The gap between actual demand and supply on the housing market is therefore widening further.
Biggest companies in the Freight Road Transport in Germany
| Company | Market Share (%)
2026 | Revenue (€m)
2026 |
|---|---|---|
Pabst Transport GmbH & Co. KG | 93.0 | |
Medizinischer Transport-Service GmbH | 15.9 | |
Transport Bothe Agrar Logistik GmbH | 14.1 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Transport within Germany, Cross-border transport and Transport in transit. Transport within Germany is the largest segment of the Freight Road Transport in Germany.
Trends and Insights
Transport within Germany competes with the rail freight companies
- Domestic transport accounts for by far the largest share of industry turnover. This also includes many journeys to and from ports and airports as part of intermodal transport.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This sector deals exclusively with the transport of goods by road, which can include a wide variety of goods such as timber, livestock and motor vehicles. Upstream or downstream activities such as the packing of goods or the operation of goods handling facilities are therefore not included in the services provided by the sector. Removal transport and postal services are also not included.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Freight Road Transport industry in Germany include Transport within Germany, Cross-border transport and Transport in transit.Companies
Companies covered in the Freight Road Transport industry in Germany include Pabst Transport GmbH & Co. KG, Medizinischer Transport-Service GmbH and Transport Bothe Agrar Logistik GmbH.Purchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Freight Road Transport industry in Germany include intermodal transport, gigaliner and frachtrate.Industry Code
WZ 49.41 - Freight Road Transport in Germany
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The lower volume of foreign trade is weakening demand for road freight transport and intensifying competitive pressure in the industry. Companies are responding to this by in...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Employees, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Businesses, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Profit, including historical (2016-2026)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Domestic transport accounts for the largest share of the industry's turnover. This also includes many journeys to and from ports and airports as part of intermodal transport.
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2026
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2026
- Major market segmentation in 2026
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The Central region is home to the largest number of industrial companies. The central region is the industrial centre of Germany, which is why there are so many goods to be t...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2026
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2026
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2026
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Competition within the industry is strong, but varies from region to region. While there are often only a few smaller haulage companies operating in rural areas, the number o...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2021-2026
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
There are no major players in the road freight transport industry. There are many smaller companies operating in the sector, which generally serve the local market.
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2022 through 2026
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2026
- Overview of Pabst Transport GmbH & Co. KG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of Medizinischer Transport-Service GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of Transport Bothe Agrar Logistik GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Pabst Transport GmbH & Co. KG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Medizinischer Transport-Service GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Transport Bothe Agrar Logistik GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The consumer climate is an important indicator of the demand for sector services. If the consumer climate develops positively, consumers buy more products, which means more g...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
The increase in the profit margin is limited by the intense price war. Competition among haulage companies is fierce and is intensified by competitors from Eastern Europe, wh...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Employee (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Employees per Establishment (2016-2031)
- Employees per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Average Wage (2016-2031)
- Wages/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- IVA/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Imports/Demand (2016-2031)
- Exports/Revenue (2016-2031)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2016-2031)
- IVA (2016-2031)
- Establishments (2016-2031)
- Enterprises (2016-2031)
- Employment (2016-2031)
- Exports (2016-2031)
- Imports (2016-2031)
- Wages (2016-2031)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Freight Road Transport industry in Germany in 2026?
The market size of the Freight Road Transport industry in Germany is €57.7bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Freight Road Transport industry in Germany in 2026?
There are 34,280 businesses in the Freight Road Transport industry in Germany, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.5 % between 2021 and 2026.
How may import tariffs affect the Freight Road Transport industry in Germany?
The Freight Road Transport industry in Germany is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Freight Road Transport industry in Germany?
The Freight Road Transport industry in Germany is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Freight Road Transport industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Freight Road Transport industry in Germany has been declining at a CAGR of 1.5 % between 2021 and 2026.
What is the forecast growth of the Freight Road Transport industry in Germany over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Freight Road Transport industry in Germany is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Freight Road Transport industry in Germany?
The biggest companies operating in the Freight Road Transport industry in Germany are Pabst Transport GmbH & Co. KG, Medizinischer Transport-Service GmbH and Transport Bothe Agrar Logistik GmbH
What does the Freight Road Transport industry in Germany include?
Transport within Germany and Cross-border transport are part of the Freight Road Transport industry in Germany.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Freight Road Transport industry in Germany?
The company holding the most market share in the Freight Road Transport industry in Germany is Pabst Transport GmbH & Co. KG.
How competitive is the Freight Road Transport industry in Germany?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Freight Road Transport industry in Germany.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Germany include:
- German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
- European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
- United Nations Comtrade
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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