Nine in 10 transport operators say recent cost increases have had a major negative impact on their business, industry group Transporting New Zealand says.

Transporting New Zealand chief executive Nick Leggett says they are concerned about the survival of some businesses.

Transporting New Zealand chief executive Nick Leggett Photo: RNZ/ Tom Kitchin.

"The nearly one in five businesses who report they are unable to pass on increased costs to customers obviously face the greatest threat.

"We are raising the alarm given the fragility of our supply chain. The trucking industry carries 93 per cent of freight so these survey results really go to the heart of supply chain vulnerability.

"Simply put, if operators can't make their business viable, trucks don't move, and if trucks don't move, shelves don't get stocked."

Transporting NZ says 400 transport companies were surveyed and with nine out of 10 saying costs have gone up, "unsurprisingly, fuel has been the major cost increase".

A year ago, only 20 per cent of the industry has fuel making up more than a quarter of their business costs, it says.

"Today, 64 per cent say fuel is more than a quarter of their costs. A total of 45 per cent of operators say fuel is now in excess of 30 per cent of their costs; a year ago that was just eight per cent."

-RNZ.