The Chinese express market continued to grow dynamically in 2018, with volumes soaring by over 25% to more than 50 billion shipments, and strong growth is again expected in 2019, according to statistics and forecasts from the State Post Bureau (SPB).
Total express volumes increased by 25.8% to 50.5 billion items last year and the sector’s turnover grew by 21.2% to RMB 601 billion (US$87.4 billion), the postal regulatory authority disclosed at a conference in Beijing today.
The Chinese express market is thus maintaining its consistent high double-digit growth rates. In 2017, for example, volumes grew by 28% to 40 billion parcels while the sector’s turnover increased by 24.5% to RMB 495 billion (US$77.6 billion).
The SPB is predicting similar high double-digit growth for 2019, although at a slightly slower pace than in the last two years. Express volumes are expected to increase about 20% to 60 billion items, thus expanding the market by a further 10 billion pieces within 12 months, while turnover should rise by 19% to RMB 715 billion (US$104 billion).
The domestic market dominates the express industry in China, detailed SPB figures for the first 11 months of 2018 make clear. Intra-city deliveries accounted for more than 10 billion items, deliveries between different cities totalled 34 billion pieces, while international shipments came to 1 billion items.
Eastern China remains the largest regional market by far, accounting for about 80% of volumes, followed by Central China and Western China.
