Mar 18, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: EU – Cargo Trailers and Semi-Trailers – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
Driven by rising demand, the European Union’s market for cargo trailers and semi-trailers is expected to experience a +2.4% CAGR in volume and a +2.8% CAGR in value from 2024 to 2035. This growth trend signifies a promising future for the industry in the region.
Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for cargo trailers and semi-trailers in the European Union, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.4% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.7M units by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.8% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $23.9B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionEuropean Union’s Consumption of Cargo Trailers and Semi-Trailers
In 2024, consumption of cargo trailers and semi-trailers decreased by -14.8% to 1.3M units, falling for the second consecutive year after four years of growth. Overall, consumption, however, enjoyed measured growth. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of 2.5M units. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of the consumption failed to regain momentum.
The size of the trailer and semi-trailer market in the European Union contracted to $17.6B in 2024, which is down by -1.8% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a strong increase. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $17.9B, and then shrank modestly in the following year.
Consumption By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were Germany (285K units), France (190K units) and Poland (178K units), together comprising 49% of total consumption. Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Italy, the Czech Republic and Sweden lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 41%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Spain (with a CAGR of +13.7%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest trailer and semi-trailer markets in the European Union were Germany ($5.1B), France ($3B) and Poland ($1.8B), together accounting for 56% of the total market. The Netherlands, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Italy, Sweden, Spain and Greece lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 25%.
Among the main consuming countries, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +19.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while market for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
The countries with the highest levels of trailer and semi-trailer per capita consumption in 2024 were the Netherlands (7.8 units per 1000 persons), Belgium (6.7 units per 1000 persons) and Greece (5.3 units per 1000 persons).
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Spain (with a CAGR of +13.6%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
ProductionEuropean Union’s Production of Cargo Trailers and Semi-Trailers
In 2024, the amount of cargo trailers and semi-trailers produced in the European Union fell slightly to 1.3M units, flattening at the previous year’s figure. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the production volume increased by 15% against the previous year. The volume of production peaked at 1.3M units in 2023, and then reduced modestly in the following year.
In value terms, trailer and semi-trailer production dropped slightly to $19.9B in 2024 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a prominent expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2023 when the production volume increased by 39%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $20B, leveling off in the following year.
Production By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were Germany (272K units), Poland (247K units) and France (170K units), together accounting for 52% of total production. The Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Italy, Estonia and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 36%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Denmark (with a CAGR of +7.1%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
ImportsEuropean Union’s Imports of Cargo Trailers and Semi-Trailers
In 2024, overseas purchases of cargo trailers and semi-trailers decreased by -43.1% to 621K units, falling for the second year in a row after eight years of growth. In general, imports, however, recorded resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 with an increase of 131% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of 1.9M units. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, trailer and semi-trailer imports fell dramatically to $5.1B in 2024. Total imports indicated temperate growth from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 38% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $6.7B in 2023, and then fell markedly in the following year.
Imports By Country
The countries with the highest levels of trailer and semi-trailer imports in 2024 were Spain (139K units), Germany (107K units), Greece (74K units), the Netherlands (50K units) and France (42K units), together reaching 66% of total import. The Czech Republic (27K units), Poland (21K units), Belgium (20K units), Sweden (16K units) and Ireland (16K units) followed a long way behind the leaders.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Ireland (with a CAGR of +25.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest trailer and semi-trailer importing markets in the European Union were France ($681M), Germany ($528M) and Poland ($479M), with a combined 33% share of total imports. The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Ireland and Greece lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 33%.
In terms of the main importing countries, Ireland, with a CAGR of +17.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Imports By Type
Non-tanker trailers and semi-trailers dominates imports structure, recording 562K units, which was approx. 90% of total imports in 2024. It was distantly followed by trade, exhibition, library, personnel and other specialized trailers and semi-trailers (52K units), constituting an 8.3% share of total imports.
Non-tanker trailers and semi-trailers was also the fastest-growing in terms of imports, with a CAGR of +6.4% from 2013 to 2024. At the same time, trade, exhibition, library, personnel and other specialized trailers and semi-trailers (+5.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. While the share of non-tanker trailers and semi-trailers (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other products remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.
In value terms, non-tanker trailers and semi-trailers ($3.9B) constitutes the largest type of cargo trailers and semi-trailers imported in the European Union, comprising 76% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by trade, exhibition, library, personnel and other specialized trailers and semi-trailers ($890M), with a 17% share of total imports.
For non-tanker trailers and semi-trailers, imports increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the period from 2013-2024. With regard to the other imported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: trade, exhibition, library, personnel and other specialized trailers and semi-trailers (+4.5% per year) and tanker trailers and semi-trailers (+3.4% per year).
Import Prices By Type
In 2024, the import price in the European Union amounted to $8.2 thousand per unit, growing by 33% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2023 an increase of 85%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $13 thousand per unit in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, import prices failed to regain momentum.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major imported products. In 2024, the product with the highest price was tanker trailers and semi-trailers ($44 thousand per unit), while the price for non-tanker trailers and semi-trailers ($6.9 thousand per unit) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by tanker trailer and semi-trailers (+0.3%), while the other products experienced a decline in the import price figures.
Import Prices By Country
In 2024, the import price in the European Union amounted to $8.2 thousand per unit, increasing by 33% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a pronounced slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2023 an increase of 85% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $13 thousand per unit in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, import prices remained at a lower figure.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Poland ($23 thousand per unit), while Greece ($348 per unit) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+8.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsEuropean Union’s Exports of Cargo Trailers and Semi-Trailers
After four years of growth, shipments abroad of cargo trailers and semi-trailers decreased by -29.7% to 595K units in 2024. Total exports indicated slight growth from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 30%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at 846K units in 2023, and then declined dramatically in the following year.
In value terms, trailer and semi-trailer exports contracted dramatically to $7.3B in 2024. Total exports indicated a modest increase from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 36% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $9.9B in 2023, and then fell rapidly in the following year.
Exports By Country
The biggest shipments were from Denmark (100K units), Germany (94K units), Poland (91K units) and the Netherlands (67K units), together amounting to 59% of total export. It was distantly followed by Ireland (36K units) and the Czech Republic (30K units), together generating an 11% share of total exports. Spain (24K units), France (23K units), Belgium (22K units) and Greece (18K units) followed a long way behind the leaders.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Ireland (with a CAGR of +41.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Germany ($2.5B) remains the largest trailer and semi-trailer supplier in the European Union, comprising 34% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Poland ($1B), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with an 8% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of value in Germany amounted to -1.7%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Poland (+8.3% per year) and the Netherlands (+1.8% per year).
Exports By Type
Non-tanker trailers and semi-trailers prevails in exports structure, finishing at 536K units, which was approx. 90% of total exports in 2024. It was distantly followed by trade, exhibition, library, personnel and other specialized trailers and semi-trailers (47K units), creating a 7.9% share of total exports. Tanker trailers and semi-trailers (12K units) followed a long way behind the leaders.
Exports of non-tanker trailers and semi-trailers increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2013 to 2024. At the same time, tanker trailers and semi-trailers (+1.8%) and trade, exhibition, library, personnel and other specialized trailers and semi-trailers (+1.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, tanker trailers and semi-trailers emerged as the fastest-growing type exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +1.8% from 2013-2024. The shares of the largest types remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.
In value terms, non-tanker trailers and semi-trailers ($5.8B) remains the largest type of cargo trailers and semi-trailers supplied in the European Union, comprising 79% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by trade, exhibition, library, personnel and other specialized trailers and semi-trailers ($848M), with a 12% share of total exports.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the value of non-tanker trailers and semi-trailers exports totaled +1.1%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: trade, exhibition, library, personnel and other specialized trailers and semi-trailers (+2.0% per year) and tanker trailers and semi-trailers (+4.2% per year).
Export Prices By Type
The export price in the European Union stood at $12 thousand per unit in 2024, increasing by 5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the export price increased by 18% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $15 thousand per unit in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exported products. In 2024, the product with the highest price was tanker trailers and semi-trailers ($56 thousand per unit), while the average price for exports of non-tanker trailers and semi-trailers ($11 thousand per unit) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by tanker trailer and semi-trailers (+2.4%), while the other products experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.
Export Prices By Country
In 2024, the export price in the European Union amounted to $12 thousand per unit, rising by 5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the export price increased by 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $15 thousand per unit in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, the export prices remained at a lower figure.
Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($26 thousand per unit), while Greece ($242 per unit) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+9.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.