The transport industry is facing a crisis, with an industry survey finding 70 per cent of truck operators expect to be out of business if the fuel crisis lasts six months.<\/p>\n
Tony Alvaro, who runs a family haulage business, was told on Wednesday his company had lost another contractor.<\/p>\n
\u201cCoordinators come in to us and go, Tony, our drivers are parked up trucks. Why? It\u2019s just cheaper to not run them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had already seen hundreds of transport companies going under, so this is just unfortunately going to fast track the already diminishing industry,\u201d Alvaro warned.<\/p>\n
![\"Alvaro\u2019s](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/e5f4d0acfe5d6df5045eebafc27bb18a2dba305c.jpg\")
Alvaro\u2019s haulage business has lost another contractor. Credit: 7NEWS<\/p>\n
The crisis is particularly concerning given that between 60 and 70 per cent of freight in Australia is carried by smaller operators, National Road Transport Association\u2019s Warren Clark said.<\/p>\n
Dairy farmers are now calling for a 20 per cent increase in milk prices, which would take a litre of milk to almost $2. Staples like butter and cheese would also be impacted.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has the potential to be an absolute disaster. Every farmer I talk to at the moment is making a loss,\u201d one dairy farmer said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to see a really steep increase in the cost of living,\u201d Clark said.<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/5742619682d485244aede9642913032120c5395c.jpg\")
A man takes a milk jerrycans at Coles supermarket. (Photo by Ye Myo Khant \/ SOPA Images\/Sipa USA) Credit: Ye Myo Khant \/ SOPA Images\/Ye Myo Khant \/ SOPA Images\/Sipa USA<\/p>\n
But manufacturers say they\u2019re getting pushback from supermarkets, which are telling them that consumers are in no mood for price hikes in the current environment.<\/p>\n
Coles and Woolworths both acknowledge the need to balance pressures on suppliers with those on customers already feeling the pinch from interest rates and inflation.<\/p>\n
One proposed solution could see brands pull back on discounting, meaning shoppers would pay full price more often, with fewer specials on the shelves.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Australia\u2019s oldest department store facing uncertain future<\/p>\n 1 min read<\/p>\n