Noticeable Drop in Demand for Transport and Logistics Services in Germany

Reduced demand for transport capacity is causing concern among German transport and logistics companies, according to data from the latest ifo Institute survey. “The – in some cases very significant – price increases for many transport and logistics services have led to the recent drop in demand,” says ifo industry expert Patrick Höppner. What’s more, the currently subdued development of the economy as a whole is putting additional strain on the demand for transport services – especially in the freight transport sector. In the second quarter of 2023, 35.2 percent of transport and logistics companies reported insufficient demand, up from 33.8 percent in the first quarter.

Nevertheless, the shortage of skilled workers remains a major problem for many transport and logistics companies. In the second quarter of 2023, 48.3 percent of the transport and logistics companies surveyed reported problems recruiting staff. “The situation is expected to intensify further in the medium term: in the case of driving personnel, a further decline in the workforce potential is foreseeable for demographic reasons,” Höppner says.