Flammable liquids, toxic substances and explosive materials account for a far larger share of freight moved on Cyprus' roads than in most of the European Union. According to Eurostat data for 2025, reported by CNA, only Finland and Ireland recorded a higher proportion, placing Cyprus third among member states.
Cyprus compared with other member states
Road transport of dangerous goods represented 7.5% of Cyprus' total road freight transport performance in 2025, almost double the EU average of 4%.
Finland topped the ranking with a share of 9.8%, followed by Ireland at 7.8% and Cyprus at 7.5%.
At the other end of the scale, Lithuania recorded the lowest share at 0.7%, while Portugal and Slovakia each stood at 1.9%.
What counts as dangerous goods
The category covers, among other things, flammable liquids, toxic substances and explosive materials.
How the figures are measured
The shares are calculated in tonne-kilometres, a measure that combines the weight of the goods with the distance they are transported. The ranking therefore reflects how much dangerous freight is moved and how far, rather than weight alone.
EU road freight volumes rise in 2025
Across the EU, a total of 13.29 billion tonnes of goods were transported by road in 2025, an increase of 1.8% compared with 2024.
Mining and quarrying products lead by weight
Measured by weight, the largest category was ores and products from mining and quarrying, at 3.04 billion tonnes, or 22.9% of total EU road freight.
Food products, beverages and tobacco products followed with 1.61 billion tonnes and a 12.1% share, while other non-metallic mineral products accounted for 1.60 billion tonnes, an equal share of 12.1%.
Food and beverages lead by distance travelled
The picture changes when distance is taken into account. In terms of transport performance, food products, beverages and tobacco products ranked first, with 311.1 billion tonne-kilometres, or 16.6% of the EU total.
Grouped goods, meaning different types of goods transported together, came second with 237.1 billion tonne-kilometres and a 12.6% share. Products from agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing ranked third, with 206.3 billion tonne-kilometres, corresponding to 11% of the total.
Source: CNA
