"Deliveries to our customers are the livelihood of our business. This fuel increase will have a significant effect upon our members, who are already suffering from flat demand and customer insolvencies," said NAPM president Henry Cubbon (pictured).

Members' efforts to cut fuel costs could lead them to cut back on delivery fleets. Cubbon said fuel costs had risen by 17% over the past 12 months, costing members an additional 5m.

Increased fuel costs range from 35 per day for a 7.5tonne truck to 50 for an 18tonne truck according to NAPM.

It plans to take the matter up with the Department of Trade and Industry.

The NAPM has 22 full corporate members, including the groups of Antalis, Map Merchants and PaperlinX.