The sector of cargo transportation In Argentina it faces an escalation in its costs. The cost of moving goods increased by 75.5% in the first nine months 2024, and during September The monthly increase was 2,71%reflecting a trend that continues to impact carriers in the midst of a context of economic contraction. Meanwhile, the accumulated increase in the last twelve months is 185,2%.
According to the Transportation Cost Index (ICT), prepared by the Argentine Federation of Freight Motor Transport Business Entities (FADEEAC) and audited by the Faculty of Economic Sciences of the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), the moderate increases in recent months, such as the 2.45% registered in May or the 3.28% in August, are linked to political decisionssuch as deferrals in the application of specific taxes on fuels. These decisions, as indicated by FADEEAC, have avoided more significant increases in the price of gasoila critical input for the transportation industry.
Among the items that increased the most in September, financial cost leads with 5.10%, followed by tolls with 4.54%, an increase that affects both national corridors and access to the City of Buenos Aires. Also notable is the 4.09% increase in the category staff-drivingdriven by the first installment of the Collective Labor Agreement 40/89.
Throughout 2024, the category of tolls has been the one that has become more expensiveaccumulating an increase of 321,5%. This represents a considerable impact for transport companies that use toll routes in their daily operations. On the other hand, the cost of fuelsalthough moderate in recent months, increased by 2,30% in September in both the retail and wholesale markets.
Other items that also showed increases include repairswhich rose 2.87%, and overheadswith an increase of 3.71%, driven by the increase in wholesale prices in services and rentals. Meanwhile, the sector insurance registered an increase of 1.55%, while Tires rose just 0.37%, reflecting the slowdown in this market.
Not all items showed increases. rolling stockwhich groups vehicle units and their maintenance, showed a slight drop of the 0,26% in September, something that contrasts with the general trend of increases.
As to patents and lubricantsthe report highlights that there were no variations compared to August, which adds stability in these specific sectors, although these are items with less impact in the global calculation of the Transportation Cost Index.
The outlook for cargo transportation remains complex, with a cumulative increase in 75,5% so far this year, despite moderations in some key items such as fuel. The constant increase in other components, such as Tolls and Financial Costs, continues to increase the operating costs of transportation companies.
The evolution of costs is particularly worrying for small and medium companieswhich represent the majority in the sector and must face these increases in a context of contraction in demand. He ICTwhich functions as a reference to adjust transportation rates, shows the need to constantly review prices to adapt to economic reality.
The future of the sector will depend largely on how the macroeconomic situation evolves, on the capacity of companies, and it remains to be seen if it will impact prices. Without additional measures to mitigate the inflation on key inputs such as fuel and financing, Operating costs could continue to rise in the coming months.