The surge in fuel prices has forced truckers to pass on the cost to customers, haulage bosses say.
Fears that the price of unleaded petrol could hit the £2.30 a litre mark have initiated a four-day strike by tanker drivers.
The haulage industry says that the increases will cripple the economy if the Government allows prices to continue to soar and have called for tax cuts for hauliers.
Jason Ellen of Ellen's Express Transport, in Peatmoor told This is Wiltshire that his fuel expenditure had rocketed 40 per cent since January.
He said: "Nobody wants to have to pay extra because of the fuel hike but we've really got no choice."
Mr Ellen warned: "If the fuel can't get to the petrol station then haulage drivers can't deliver so we're talking about the shops not getting new stock and customers going without. Fuel shortages always bring about this panic so that won't help matters either."
The government has asked the public not to panic buy petrol as the strike approaches.
In a bid to prevent pumps from running dry, Gordon Brown's spokesperson has urged both sides to reach a resolution.
