Fuel prices in the UK are soaring once again and for drinks producers, that means higher delivery costs, tighter margins and more operational stress.

In September 2025, average pump prices sit at 134.7p per litre for petrol and 142.2p per litre for diesel. This can be a significant burden for breweries, wineries, distilleries and no-and-low producers who depend on efficient, heavy and frequent deliveries.

Many drinks producers are also finding themselves running half-empty vans into London. Could the combination of high petrol/diesel costs + delivering only half a van of stock be damaging your margins?

This is where logistics strategy becomes business strategy.

Drinks brands that fail to adapt risk seeing rising costs eat into profits. But those that act now can protect their margins and gain a competitive edge.

Why Fuel Costs Are Damaging Drinks Logistics

Fuel represents around a third of total logistics costs. With the UK’s high duty rate still frozen at 57.95ppl, producers running their own vans or lorries are quite literally paying the price.

For drinks logistics, the problem is especially severe. Pallets of beer, cases of wine, or casks of spirits are bulky and heavy, making fuel efficiency harder to achieve. Add in costs from ULEZ zones, toll roads and rising insurance premiums and it’s clear why so many drinks producers are rethinking their transport models.

The Real Impact of Fuel Prices on Drinks Producers

When fuel prices rise, the effects go far beyond the forecourt:

1. Delivery costs increase: every mile your drinks delivery vans drive is more expensive.
2. Margins shrink: already tight drinks trade margins are now under even more pressure.
3. Cash flow becomes volatile: unpredictable fuel costs makes planning cash flow difficult.
4. Investment slows: with more money tied up in logistics, less is available for brand growth and production.

How Drinks Producers Can Reduce the Impact

Don't worry- there are steps drinks businesses can take to limit the impact of rising fuel costs:

1. Outsource your drinks logistics to a 3PL
2. Consolidate deliveries: this reduces the number of vehicles on the road and solves the issue of running a half-empty van into busy London
3. Upgrade fleet efficiency with telematics, tyres or aerodynamic improvements.
   

Is Partnering with a 3PL the Best Move for Drinks Producers?

Working with a third-party logistics (3PL) provider offers drinks producers real protection against vehicle charges (such as rising fuel costs and fleet purchasing). Here’s why:

• ‍Consolidated deliveries means your smaller orders share a van with other brand's products, cutting empty miles and fuel costs massively. It's good for the environment- and for your cash flow. ‍

• Lower overheads: no need to fund your own van purchase, insurance, maintenance and compliance yourself- your 3PL will do that all for you.‍

• Access to advanced tech: 3PLs use expert routing software to optimise every journey, saving on both fuel and time.‍

• Scalable 3PL contracts: 3PLs allow you to scale capacity up and down to match seasonal drinks delivery demand. You only use and pay for the drinks storage and delivery that you need, meaning you don't have to pay to maintain vans that are spending less time on the road.
  

For drinks producers, partnering with a 3PL is no longer just a convenience- it’s a tangible way to keep logistics resilient and margins protected in a fuel-driven economy.

Final Word: A Turning Point for UK Drinks Logistics

At over £1.40 per litre for diesel, fuel costs in September 2025 remain one of the biggest threats to drinks logistics. But producers don’t have to absorb these costs alone.

By outsourcing logistics to a UK-based 3PL like Tap'in, breweries, wineries, distilleries and no-and-low producers can cut fuel and vehicle expenditure, streamline deliveries and focus on what really matters: growing their brands.

If fuel costs are draining your logistics budget, now is the time to explore a smarter, more cost-efficient partnership.

Tap'in: Your Trusted Next-Day Drinks Delivery 3PL

At Tap'in, we specialise in providing next-day UK drinks delivery into London and the South East for breweries, wineries and distilleries looking to stay ahead in the competitive drinks market.

Our tailored UK drinks logistics services are designed to meet your own, unique drinks operations needs. We build bespoke quotes for each and every client we onboard to ensure that your drinks are delivered quickly, safely and to your own personal standards.

Whether you need to get your beers to a London pub, wine to a retailer in Brighton, or spirits to a bar in the Home Counties, Tap'in offers reliable and cost-effective delivery solutions.

What are the benefits of Tap'in 3PL?

• ‍Next-Day UK Drinks Delivery: Tap'in offers next-day delivery services across London and the South East, ensuring your products are quickly delivered to your on-trade and D2C customers. ‍

• London delivery 4 days a week: We deliver drinks into key London postcodes four days a week, making it easier for your products to reach one of the most competitive drink markets in the UK. Our regular delivery schedule ensures your products are always available when your customers need them.‍

• Pallet Network for Broader UK Reach: While our core focus is on London, Brighton and the Home Counties, we also offer Pallet Network delivery services to reach other areas in the UK. Whether you need to fulfil larger orders or expand your distribution network, our expert logistics team can help organise Pallet Network service provisions for a more flexible solution.
  

Let Tap'in handle the logistics so that you can focus on creating exceptional drinks and growing your brand.

Fill out our contact form below or call us directly on 0203 436 0140 and our expert team will get back to you to discuss your bespoke quote as soon as possible.

‍