The courier, express and parcel market (CEP) in Germany will grow robustly in 2024. This is shown by the latest CEP Study 2025 published by the German Parcel and Express Logistics Association (BPEX). The total volume of shipments will grow by 115 million to around 4.29 billion. This corresponds to an increase of 2.8%. Total revenue will increase by 4.1% to around 27.6 billion euros. This means that the parcel industry will remain on a stable growth path despite the difficult development of the global economy. In 2024, around 266,300 people will be employed in the parcel industry. That is 5,800 or 2.2% more employees than in the previous year.
5.5% increase in B2C, 1.6% decrease in B2B
Due to growth in online retail, private customer business in particular will continue to grow in 2024. B2C shipments will increase by 5.5% in 2024 and will now account for 60% of all CEP shipments. In contrast, the volume of B2B shipments (shipments from business to business) will decline by 1.6%. This is mainly due to weak domestic economic activity and demand. The varying development of market segments over the course of the year shows that the parcel industry is not immune to the difficult global economic situation.
‘Politicians must also deliver’
‘We are living in turbulent times, in which the CEP industry is keeping the economy and society running,’ says Marten Bosselmann, Chairman of BPEX. “The robust growth of almost three percent is a reflection of an industry that is evolving – with smart solutions, new technologies and a keen sense of what customers expect today: speed, reliability and, increasingly, sustainability. To enable continued growth, politicians must also deliver. That means less bureaucracy and regulation, as well as practical guidelines and sensible reporting requirements,” demands Bosselmann.
Around 5.19 billion shipments will be possible in 2030
If the forecasts prove accurate, a total shipment volume of 5.19 billion shipments can be expected by 2030. This would correspond to an average annual growth rate of 3.2%. The number of CEP shipments transported could exceed the 5 billion mark as early as 2029.
KEP Study 2025 highlights key trends up to 2030
The CEP study has been published annually since 2004 and is compiled by KE-CONSULT Kurte&Esser GbR on behalf of BPEX. It provides an up-to-date and comprehensive picture of market developments, trends and the economic significance of the entire CEP sector in Germany. In a special chapter, the CEP Study 2025 highlights the key trends in the industry until 2030. The focus is particularly on out-of-home delivery, international trade and e‑commerce, investments in cyber and physical security, and future requirements for the job profile of delivery personnel.
The study is available for download here.
