Oblin warns of slump due to parcel taxes

Vienna, July 31, 2026 Walter Oblin warns in an interview about short-term slumps caused by new parcel taxes and draws a critical balance regarding the future of the letter business. Walter Oblin speaks plainly in an interview with the Oberösterreichische Nachrichten (OÖN) about the economic situation of the Austrian Post. "Die Post wäre ein defizitärer Zuschussbetrieb, wären wir nicht an die Börse gegangen", says Walter Oblin (57) in the interview. This statement underscores, according to his assessment, how much the company depends on the capital market to maintain its business operations. The focus of the discussions is on the consequences of the planned parcel taxes. Oblin expects that the new levies will lead to a noticeable slump in parcel volume in the short term. He sees this as an immediate burden on the Post's core business, which has contributed significantly to the Group's growth in recent years. ## Burden on the parcel business In addition to the parcel business, Oblin also views the letter segment with concern. According to him, the traditional letter market has been in decline for a long time, and digital change is further reinforcing this trend. The Post must therefore adapt its revenue models and open up new business areas to counteract the declining volumes in the letter segment. Oblin refers to international comparison markets to illustrate the dimension of the change. In many European countries, but also in Great Britain and the USA, the letter market has shrunk even faster than in Austria. These experiences showed that adjustments in the product portfolio and pricing structure are inevitable in order to survive economically. ## International comparison markets The geopolitical situation also plays a role for Oblin. The trade disputes between the EU, the USA, and China, as well as tightened customs regulations, have direct effects on the logistics flows running through Europe. The Post is closely monitoring these developments, as they affect both parcel volumes and transport costs. Despite the risks, Oblin sees expansion opportunities for the Post. He specifically mentions the expansion of cross-border parcel services within Europe as well as digital supplementary offerings in the letter segment. Such steps are necessary to make the company less dependent on the classic letter and parcel business in the long term. ## IPO as a strategic foundation Regarding the stock exchange listing, Oblin emphasizes that the step of going public brought not only financial resources but also the entrepreneurial freedom to react more quickly to market changes. Without this step, according to his argument, the company would have been more dependent on state budgets and thus more vulnerable to political decisions. In conclusion, Oblin states that the coming years will be decisive for the Post. The combination of parcel taxes, declining letter volumes, and geopolitical tensions requires a clear strategic direction. The company will therefore continue to prioritize investments in logistics, digitalization, and sustainable delivery in order to secure its market position. ## Outlook for the coming years The interview with the OÖN thus provides a comprehensive insight into the challenges currently facing the Austrian Post. Oblin's statements also make clear how closely economic, political, and social factors interact in the logistics sector – and how quickly business models must adapt in a changing environment.