Deutsche Post’s request to raise the price of a postage stamp has been rejected, Reuters has reported.
This decision has led the company to threaten to reduce its sustainability investment program, saying the inability to raise prices would massively slow its climate-neutrality efforts.
In May 2022, Deutsche Post applied to the federal regulator Bundesnetzagentur to lift the current price cap and raise its postage stamp prices in 2024. According to the company, the €0.85 (US$0.93) cost of a stamp for a standard letter in Germany was below the European average, despite high salaries.
Klaus Müller, president of the Bundesnetzagentur, said, “We recognize the challenging environment in the letter and parcel business, but according to the data presented, letter prices are sufficient to cover unit costs. Deutsche Post was unable to prove that reduced mail volumes led to cost increases per letter item – the average unit costs are even slightly below the 2021 forecast.”
Nikola Hagleitner, board member and head of Deutsche Post’s post and packet unit, stated, “The decision exacerbates the cost pressure in the lettermail sector. Investments in a sustainable universal postal service are hardly possible under these conditions.”
To keep up with the latest Deutsche Post developments, click here.