Summer is often associated with growth and abundance—but for supply chain professionals, it also brings a storm of challenges. From extreme weather and port congestion to labor shortages and tourist season congestion, the warmer months can create significant disruptions in the movement of goods across Europe and beyond. Explore how businesses can navigate summer supply chain disruptions in Europe and globally. From climate risks to logistics delays.
In 2025, these challenges are compounded by macroeconomic uncertainty, environmental regulations, climate-related risks, and geopolitical tension. Procurement and logistics teams face increasing pressure to keep supply chains fluid while managing costs, ensuring sustainability, and minimizing risks.
As Europe continues to push its Green Deal policies, and with global trade reorienting around post-pandemic norms, the summer of 2025 is shaping up to be a stress test for even the most resilient supply networks.
This article explores the top supply chain threats for the summer season in Europe and internationally, including port delays, infrastructure stress, inventory misalignments, and raw material shortages. It also outlines smart mitigation strategies and concludes with insights from global procurement strategist Mattias Knutsson on how companies can prepare now to stay ahead.
The Summer Supply Chain Outlook: What’s Different in 2025?
1. Higher Temperatures, Higher Risk
2023 and 2024 were the two hottest years on record globally. The trend continues in 2025, with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) predicting another above-average summer across southern and central Europe.
- Wildfires, especially in Southern France, Spain, Greece, and Portugal, threaten transportation routes and warehouse safety.
- Heatwaves reduce road and rail capacity. Asphalt softens, train tracks warp, and cooling needs spike, stressing distribution hubs.
- Hydropower reductions in Alpine regions have already impacted industrial energy use and rail freight services.
2. Port Congestion in Key European Gateways
- Port of Rotterdam and Antwerp-Bruges anticipate container traffic peaks of 15–20% above monthly average during June-August.
- Strike risks remain high. Dockworker unions in Spain and Italy are negotiating contracts this summer, with potential work stoppages.
- Container turnaround times are 17% slower than Q2 2023 due to tighter customs checks tied to EUDR (EU Deforestation Regulation) enforcement.
3. Labor Shortages and Summer Holidays
- Seasonal vacations in France, Germany, and Scandinavia reduce logistics staff by 20–30%.
- Warehouse operations and domestic delivery services are particularly hard-hit.
- Labor disputes in Poland and Slovakia over wage negotiations could disrupt cross-border trucking.
4. Tourist Surge Adds to Road and Air Pressure
- Passenger traffic at EU airports expected to reach 97% of pre-pandemic levels in summer 2025 (Eurocontrol).
- Major road corridors—like the E40 and E80—face congestion that also slows freight movement.
- Urban last-mile delivery is delayed due to restrictions in popular tourist destinations like Venice, Paris, and Barcelona.
Sector-Specific Summer Disruptions to Watch
Food & Agriculture
- Droughts threaten produce output in Spain and Italy.
- Exporters in Eastern Europe face tighter phytosanitary inspections at EU borders.
- Cold chain supply is stressed due to cooling system overloads during peak heat.
Construction & Building Materials
- Demand for lumber, plywood, concrete, and fasteners surges.
- High temperatures reduce allowable outdoor work hours, slowing site progress.
- Seasonal transport bottlenecks drive cost-per-ton increases of 12–15%.
Furniture & Home Goods
- Summer sales events increase consumer demand.
- Delays at Southeast Asian ports affect imports.
- Sustainable certifications now mandatory for major EU retailers.
Health & Beauty
- Demand spikes for skincare, sun protection, and wellness travel kits.
- Importers face raw material shortages due to limited sourcing windows for key plant-based ingredients.
Real Market Data Snapshot – Q2 2025
| Indicator | Current Status |
|---|---|
| EU Port Congestion Index | 118 (baseline = 100, Q2 2023) |
| Cross-border Trucking Delay Avg. | +27 minutes per 100km |
| Air Cargo Rate (Europe to Asia) | $4.20/kg (↑ 9.8% YoY) |
| Warehouse Vacancy Rate (Germany) | 3.6% (tight, pushing costs upward) |
| Average EU Delivery Lead Time | 7.8 days (↑ from 6.4 in Q2 2024) |
Strategies for Managing Summer Supply Chain Volatility
1. Shift to Multimodal Logistics
Use a combination of rail, sea, and air freight to diversify your delivery channels. While rail may slow during heatwaves, it avoids road congestion and strikes.
2. Dynamic Inventory Allocation
Reroute inventory to non-disrupted regions or regional warehouses based on live demand signals and local infrastructure status.
3. Collaborative Forecasting
Work closely with suppliers and logistics partners to plan for contingencies. Sharing weather risk models, labor calendars, and customs updates can reduce surprises.
4. Pre-Summer Surge Planning
- Lock in shipping slots before June.
- Revisit insurance coverage to account for climate-related risks.
- Use AI demand forecasting tools like o9, ToolsGroup, or Blue Yonder for real-time supply reallocation.
5. Sustainable Sourcing Under New Rules
Ensure all forest and agricultural imports meet EUDR traceability requirements. Work with FSC, PEFC, and blockchain-backed supply chains to prevent delays.
Spotlight on Regional Response: EU vs Global Comparisons
| Challenge | Europe | U.S. | Asia-Pacific |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Shortage | Vacation-driven | Aging workforce | Urban migration impact |
| Port Delays | Rotterdam, Antwerp | Long Beach, Savannah | Singapore, Shenzhen |
| Climate Risk | Heatwaves, wildfires | Hurricanes, heat domes | Flooding, typhoons |
| Regulation Impact | EUDR, CBAM | Buy American Act | Export restrictions (e.g., India wheat ban) |
| Procurement Response | Localized inventory buffers | Onshoring, Mexico nearshoring | Diversification to Vietnam, Indonesia |
Procurement Teams as Strategic Risk Managers
Procurement professionals are now critical in shaping climate adaptation plans, supplier resiliency models, and go-to-market timelines.
Key tools and actions:
- Supplier heatmaps and risk scoring platforms (e.g., Resilinc, Everstream)
- Digital twin simulations for worst-case summer scenarios
- Flexible contract clauses allowing rerouting, storage shifts, or substitute materials
63% of leading organizations are using predictive analytics in procurement compared to just 34% in 2022.
Conclusion:
As we move into summer 2025, the ability to plan, adapt, and respond rapidly will be the true differentiator in supply chain success. Delays, disruptions, and deviations are inevitable—but panic is not.
Mattias Knutsson, Strategic Leader in Global Procurement and Business Development, summarizes it powerfully:
“Summer volatility is no longer a seasonal inconvenience—it’s an annual inevitability. Resilient procurement leaders are those who anticipate, diversify, and digitize their supply chains. The winners in 2025 are preparing now—mapping dependencies, pre-positioning inventory, and collaborating across the network. It’s not about reacting faster; it’s about reducing the need to react at all.”
Knutsson advocates for a future-forward procurement mindset—one that integrates climate intelligence, regulatory compliance, and digital procurement tools into daily operations. For him, agility, intelligence, and partnerships are the new KPIs.
Final Takeaway
The summer of 2025 presents more than just operational hurdles—it’s a window into the future of global supply chain management. With unpredictable climate events, regulation-heavy cross-border trade, and capacity constraints in every mode of transport, businesses must future-proof now.
Whether you’re a procurement manager in Berlin, a logistics coordinator in New York, or a manufacturer in Vietnam, the principles are the same: anticipate risk, strengthen visibility, and act decisively. Prepare now, and summer won’t be your biggest challenge—it’ll be your best performance.
