New official Welsh Government statistics reveal that the quantity of goods transported by UK-registered heavy goods vehicles within, into and out of Wales fell during 2025.
Total goods lifted fell from 109 million tonnes in 2024 to 99.4 million tonnes in 2025, a reduction of 9%.
The breakdown reveals differing trends:
| Freight movement | 2025 volume | Annual change |
|---|---|---|
| Within Wales | 45.0 million tonnes | -22% |
| Into Wales from rest of UK | 27.7 million tonnes | -1% |
| From Wales to rest of UK | 26.7 million tonnes | +13% |
| Total | 99.4 million tonnes | -9% |
Food products accounted for 14% of goods transported.
The publication also reveals that updated international road freight statistics have been delayed, meaning the latest figures for trade with the EU relate to 2024.
Why it matters: Road freight provides an indicator of economic activity, particularly in manufacturing, construction, distribution and retail.
The contrasting trends between internal Welsh freight movements and goods leaving Wales warrant further examination.
However, these figures alone cannot establish whether the decline reflects reduced economic activity, changes in transport patterns or other factors.
