Denmark-based dairy giant Arla Foods has said a new road charging system in Germany, which came into force at the beginning of the year, will result in higher transport costs for deliveries to customers in Germany and other European countries.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


The new charge is approximately DKK1 (US$0.17) per km on German motorways for HGVs over 12 tons. Arla Foods uses external hauliers to deliver its dairy products across Europe.


“Since this is a government-imposed charge, we cannot just demand that the hauliers carry the added cost,” said Claus Haase, logistics purchasing manager. “We therefore expect the new road charges to add DKK10-12m annually to our costs.”


The company said Sweden also plans to introduce a system of road charges and also to raise tax on diesel. This is expected to cost the Swedish food sector SEK1.1bn (US$154.2m) per year.


“The introduction of a kilometre-based road charge will add SEK121m to Arla Foods’ costs,” Hans Åke Hammarström, director of the Sweden division, said at a recent press conference.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now