BAROMETER. Road transport prices fell sharply by 1.6% in February, and the conflict in Iran is now increasing costs and threatening growth. The coming stagflation could be fatal to many transport companies.
According to the monthly business survey by the Banque de France, published on March 10, 2026, growth in France's gross domestic product for the first quarter is expected to fluctuate between 0.2% and 0.3%, bolstered in particular by market services. The Banque de France warned that, “however, this technical forecast is subject to downside risk given the uncertainties surrounding the conflict in the Middle East and its impact on supply chains and energy prices, which could weigh on activity towards the end of the quarter”.
Uneven growth
In February, industrial production continued its upward trend at a pace broadly in line with business leaders' expectations. However, there are disappointments in certain sectors which are traditionally major providers of flows for road freight transport."Some activities in which a more marked increase had been expected recorded a decline or limited growth. This was particularly the case in the automotive sector, which was penalised by the contraction of the domestic market and temporary supply difficulties, as well as in the pharmaceutical and metal and metal products sectors”, explains the Banque de France in its survey. Conversely, the...
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