| NOTAS: | "This report presents an outlook for the postal sector in 2020, in the context of a fast-changing economic landscape. It does so by presenting the most recent postal statistics in conjunction with key macroeconomic variables. The global economy has been deeply affected by the outbreak of COVID-19, with great ramifications for international supply chains. Long-term trends affecting postal operators were accelerated during the first months of the crisis, with network disruption soaring as e-commerce boomed. As the barriers to international logistics eased following the relaxation of lockdown measures, e-commerce proved resilient, although not sufficiently to change the fortunes of postal operators. Information collected via the UPU’s big data platform shows that international mail volumes remain depressed, with a 20% decrease in registered items compared with the previous year. In the absence of public support, accommodating policies and a rapid resolution of the health crisis, it seems unlikely that disposable income and e-commerce will grow enough to bring about a swift recovery in the postal sector. Estimates suggest that worldwide operating revenue losses stand at between 4.5 and 6.5 billion SDR." |
