Volume of postal letters shrinks by 24% in Q2

The volume of letters delivered by the national postal and logistic operator Posti decreased by a record-breaking 24% in April–June this year compared to that in the corresponding period of 2019, said Posti in a press release.

Over the 2000s, the number of letters has fallen by more than 60% because of digital communications; and the coronavirus pandemic is accelerating the decline of printed mail even further.

“Despite the summer seeing much improvement from the spring in many service sectors, the change does not translate into an increased volume of printed mail. The effect of the coronavirus pandemic is particularly evident in the volume of mail sent by companies as well as the authorities and organisations, which accounts for approximately 96% of all the letter items delivered by Posti. The switch to digital has occurred,” said Posti Production Director Sami Reponen.

On 1 June, the Postal Services introduced an exceptional arrangement, under which Friday deliveries are primarily delivered on Thursdays.

For now, this exceptional arrangement will continue until the end of October, because there is not enough mail for Friday deliveries. The early deliveries are made possible by the fact that the lower volume of mail can be sorted faster.

The exceptional arrangement does not require any action on the part of senders or mail recipients; the service will continue according to the previously agreed model.

The exceptional arrangement does not apply to either the early delivery of newspapers or the parcel deliveries. The newspapers delivered on Fridays in the basic daytime delivery will continue to be delivered on Fridays. Posti’s service points and customer service will also be open as usual on Fridays.

Posti delivers newspapers seven days a week and parcels six days a week to pickup points. Other mail such as letters, magazines, and advertisements will be delivered five days a week, but not all products will be delivered on all weekdays, because a service schedule may have been agreed with the sending customer for different products.