A warning of a "hard grind" ahead, from one of largest freight companies

Freightways is reporting a 9.5 percent growth in profit in the six months to December, off the back of a 6.7 percent growth in revenue.

But economic conditions remain tough.

Chief Executive Mark Troughear says their express couriers are handling lower volumes per customer, and it's the same story for chilled food.

Troughear says that's driven by the economy, with fewer people in cafes and restaurants ordering good food like salmon.