Africa: Railway Sleeper Market 2024

Railway Sleeper Market Size in Africa

The African railway sleeper market dropped slightly to $X in 2021, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption decreased by -1.3% against 2018 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Railway Sleeper Production in Africa

In value terms, railway sleeper production contracted slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -7.0% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 37%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Railway Sleeper Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, overseas shipments of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood increased by 12% to X cubic meters, rising for the second year in a row after five years of decline. In general, exports, however, faced a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 30%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X cubic meters. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, railway sleeper exports rose modestly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 18%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Mozambique (X cubic meters) was the major exporter of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood, creating 47% of total exports. Gabon (X cubic meters) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Benin (X cubic meters) and Nigeria (X cubic meters). All these countries together took near 47% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Mozambique (with a CAGR of +16.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, Gabon ($X) remains the largest railway sleeper supplier in Africa, comprising 53% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mozambique ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Benin, with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Gabon amounted to -6.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mozambique (+10.6% per year) and Benin (-20.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per cubic meter in 2021, which is down by -8.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 44%. The level of export peaked at $X per cubic meter in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Gabon ($X per cubic meter), while Mozambique ($X per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+26.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Railway Sleeper Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, overseas purchases of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood increased by 4.2% to X cubic meters, rising for the sixth consecutive year after three years of decline. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed a measured expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, railway sleeper imports rose markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, recorded a perceptible decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of railway sleeper imports in 2021 were Algeria (X cubic meters), Malawi (X cubic meters) and Kenya (X cubic meters), together resulting at 76% of total import. It was distantly followed by Egypt (X cubic meters), comprising an 11% share of total imports. The following importers - Nigeria (X cubic meters), Tanzania (X cubic meters) and Ethiopia (X cubic meters) - each finished at a 5.4% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Ethiopia (with a CAGR of +52.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Algeria ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood in Africa, comprising 53% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Kenya ($X), with a 23% share of total imports. It was followed by Tanzania, with a 5.1% share.

In Algeria, railway sleeper imports expanded at an average annual rate of +37.3% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Kenya (+34.6% per year) and Tanzania (-5.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per cubic meter in 2021, increasing by 9.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the import price increased by 14%. The level of import peaked at $X per cubic meter in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Tanzania ($X per cubic meter), while Malawi ($X per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (+10.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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