Posti, the Finnish postal operator, says it has seen mail deliveries fall significantly this year. The company – part of the Itella Group – says first class post volumes dropped by nine per cent, addressed direct marketing by 16 per cent and parcels by ten per cent.

Jukka Alho, president/CEO of Itella Corporation, which operates in northern and central Europe and Russia, said: The economic recession has had the strongest impact on the business of Itella Logistics which is sensitive to economic fluctuations. Itella Mail Communication succeeded in compensating the decline in volumes through measures that improve productivity. Itella Information even improved its performance.”

He was not optimistic for the immediate future, adding: “Itella’s net sales for the full year are predicted to remain below last year’s level.”