Road Transport Costs Spike 11% in Q2, Agricultural Goods Hit Hardest

Road transport service costs surged 11.1% in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, with increases across all product categories, according to Nanthapon Jiralertphong, director of the Office of Trade and Strategic Policy at Thailand's Ministry of Commerce. Agricultural and fishery products recorded the sharpest gains, jumping 15.5%, while mining products rose 4.3% and industrial products climbed 10.7% due to higher transport fees for food products, machinery, refined petroleum products, vehicles, and components.

All vehicle types saw rate increases, ranging from 4.8% for heavy-haul trailers to 13.2% for hazardous material trucks. Beyond diesel fuel costs—the primary expense for transport operators—logistics companies face rising maintenance, parts, administrative costs, and acute shortages of skilled truck drivers that are pushing labor costs higher. These combined pressures have forced operators to raise service prices to reflect actual operating expenses.

Jiralertphong forecasted that transport costs will likely remain elevated in the third quarter due to expected higher fuel prices and seasonal agricultural demand, though rainy season conditions may create logistical delays. However, competitive pricing pressures may cause some operators to absorb increased costs to retain customers, while global energy volatility could cause actual rates to diverge from current forecasts.