Logistics in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) - statistics & facts
Central Eastern Europe is becoming a key logistics hub due to competitive labor costs, rapidly developing infrastructure, and proximity to Western European economies. Poland had by far the largest logistics market among Central and Eastern European countries in 2023, with logistics costs reaching over 80 billion U.S. dollars, while this value totaled 38 billion U.S. dollars in the second-ranking Romania. Similarly, Poland recorded the highest third-party logistics revenue, at 9.5 billion U.S. dollars in the same year, and Romania followed with a 3.9-billion-U.S. dollar revenue.
However, not all CEE countries rely primarily on road transportation; the railway has played a far more significant role in Slovenia’s logistics sector. In 2022, the amount of freight transported by all inland modes of transportation reached approximately 7.5 billion ton-kilometers, out of which railways accounted for 4.9 billion ton-kilometers, 65 percent of the total volume. As for road freight transportation, figures have been increasing since 2020, totaling 2.6 billion ton-kilometers.
Poland led the CEE logistics market in 2023, recording the highest costs, with Romania following in second place. Additionally, Poland had the largest network of PUDO and APM in the region, while Czechia came second in the ranking. Unlike other countries, Slovenia relied more on railway transport, which accounted for almost two-thirds of all inland transportation.
Road freight dominates CEE's transport landscape
Road freight transport continues to be a vital component of CEE's transportation and logistics sector. In 2023, it constituted the most significant share of goods transported in Poland, accounting for nearly 401 billion metric ton-kilometers, even after recording decreasing values for two consecutive years. The railway was the second most-used freight transportation method, with approximately 61 billion metric ton-kilometers of goods transported over the same period. The importance of road freight is also reflected in Poland's transportation revenue, with the carriage of goods by road contributing the most significant portion to the nearly 195 billion zloty generated from cargo transportation in 2023.However, not all CEE countries rely primarily on road transportation; the railway has played a far more significant role in Slovenia’s logistics sector. In 2022, the amount of freight transported by all inland modes of transportation reached approximately 7.5 billion ton-kilometers, out of which railways accounted for 4.9 billion ton-kilometers, 65 percent of the total volume. As for road freight transportation, figures have been increasing since 2020, totaling 2.6 billion ton-kilometers.
PUDO and APM networks expand across CEE
The expansion of PUDO (pick-up and drop-off points) and APM (automated parcel machines) networks across CEE countries has seen significant growth, with Poland leading the way in both categories. In 2023, Poland boasted an impressive network of over 136,900 PUDOs, far outpacing other countries in the region. Czechia emerged as the second-strongest player in the PUDO landscape, with approximately 23,200 locations. When it comes to APMs, Poland again took the top spot with nearly 39,500 parcel lockers at the end of 2023, while Czechia maintained its runner-up position in the APM category as well, with over 16,000 parcel lockers. The disparity between countries is evident, as smaller nations like Estonia had only 210 collection points, while Bulgaria reported 538 APMs across the country.Poland led the CEE logistics market in 2023, recording the highest costs, with Romania following in second place. Additionally, Poland had the largest network of PUDO and APM in the region, while Czechia came second in the ranking. Unlike other countries, Slovenia relied more on railway transport, which accounted for almost two-thirds of all inland transportation.
