Bread must arrive even at minus 15 degrees – Hungarian carriers defy the elements

By: Trademagazin Date: 2026. 01. 09. 11:49

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While traffic has slowed down in large parts of the country due to snowdrifts and near-record cold, the 80,000 licensed vehicles and drivers operating on Hungarian roads are working hard to ensure that food and essential goods reach every settlement.

Arctic cold and snowdrifts complicate logistics. According to the latest report from HungaroMet, Hungary has been flooded with arctic air. The snowfall that has arrived in several waves in recent days has left a layer of fresh snow of 20-30 centimeters in some places, and in the second half of the week, temperatures could reach as low as minus 19 degrees Celsius in areas covered with thicker snow.

Due to the extreme weather, freight transport has been concentrated on the roads, so in this critical situation, the role of road transport has become more important: from the smallest villages to the big cities, almost exclusively trucks and lorries ensure the filling of store shelves.

Few people know, but 85% of the Hungarian transport society is small and medium-sized enterprises, often family businesses with a history of several decades. They are the ones who set off even in -15 degrees Celsius in the morning.

“Our profession is tested every day. Now it’s also about humanity and endurance. It’s not just about machines, it’s about real people” – emphasizes Ferenc Lajkó, Secretary General of NiT Hungary (National Transport Industry Association of Private Enterprises).

Two things are essential for a successful destination: a vehicle fleet in excellent technical condition and highly qualified drivers. Driving on slippery roads and in snowdrifts below visibility requires a routine that only professionals with decades of experience possess.

“In the current extreme weather conditions, Hungarian transporters are the backbone of the country’s security of supply. While many forms of transport are disrupted by snow and frost, our thousands of member companies – mostly small Hungarian family businesses – are still on the road. Our drivers are braving the minus 19 degree cold with extraordinary professional knowledge and a sense of responsibility, so that fresh goods can reach even the smallest villages” – said Ferenc Lajkó.

NiT Hungary, which has a 35-year history, has direct visibility into the condition of the roads through its 4,800 active member companies. The working groups of the advocacy organization are staffed by leaders who, with 20-30, or even 40 years of experience behind them, know exactly: in these times, every minute counts, and safety is not a negotiable issue.