Director of Czech Post: 2025 loss expected to fall below one billion crowns

The Czech Post’s loss is expected to fall below one billion crowns this year, according to director Miroslav Štěpán. Speaking on Czech Television’s Questions of Václav Moravec program, Štěpán said that while the parcel services branch will remain in deficit, the traditional postal services should reach a balanced economic result.

Since April, Czech Post has separated its commercial parcel and logistics services into a newly created branch, Czech Post - Parcel Service. This restructuring is a preparatory step before the planned establishment of Balíkovna as an independent joint-stock company. The management aims to find a strategic partner to support further development of the parcel business.

Štěpán emphasized that the Czech Post has optimized its internal processes to the extent possible. He noted that developing the Finite service will require an investment of two to three billion crowns, which should be financed by a strategic investor. He added that parcel services are a promising business sector, given consumer trends, but warned that if Balíkovna remains a state-owned company, its financial sustainability could be at risk.

Štěpán does not anticipate the sale of the main post office building in Jindřišská Street, Prague, this year, citing the complexity and length of the sale process. He stressed that the building remains important for the Czech Post’s operations. Beginning in May, a portion of the building will be leased to the Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office to better utilize the space, given the building’s current excess capacity.

In addition, Czech Post recently took over selected employment office services without incurring additional costs. Štěpán mentioned ongoing negotiations to assume other public administration tasks, suggesting that Czech Post could manage local government fee collections, providing services in locations where municipal offices may not operate daily.

Preliminary results show that Czech Post recorded a loss of approximately CZK 1.25 billion in 2024, which was higher than the previous year due mainly to the unrealized sale of the Jindřišská building, originally expected to generate about CZK 1.4 billion. The organization aims to return to profitability following the completion of its transformation process, anticipated after 2026.

Source: CTK