Asia: Railway Sleeper Market 2025

Railway Sleeper Market Size in Asia

The Asian railway sleeper market dropped modestly to $X in 2021, approximately equating the previous year. In general, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Railway Sleeper Production in Asia

In value terms, railway sleeper production reduced modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Railway Sleeper Exports

Exports in Asia

For the fourth year in a row, Asia recorded growth in shipments abroad of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood, which increased by 31% to X cubic meters in 2021. Overall, exports saw a mild increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 64% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X cubic meters in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, railway sleeper exports rose significantly to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a deep setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Saudi Arabia (X cubic meters) was the largest exporter of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood, committing 62% of total exports. It was distantly followed by South Korea (X cubic meters) and Georgia (X cubic meters), together making up a 26% share of total exports. Democratic People's Republic of Korea (X cubic meters), Lebanon (X cubic meters) and Bahrain (X cubic meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to railway sleeper exports from Saudi Arabia stood at +15.4%. At the same time, South Korea (+94.8%), Lebanon (+23.9%), Georgia (+22.2%) and Bahrain (+15.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, South Korea emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Asia, with a CAGR of +94.8% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (-14.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Georgia, Lebanon and Bahrain increased by +42, +15, +9.3, +2.8 and +1.9 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, South Korea ($X), Georgia ($X) and Saudi Arabia ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together accounting for 81% of total exports.

South Korea, with a CAGR of +99.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Asia stood at $X per cubic meter in 2021, waning by -19.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 70% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per cubic meter. From 2015 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was South Korea ($X per cubic meter), while Saudi Arabia ($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 Bahrain (+6.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Railway Sleeper Imports

Imports in Asia

In 2021, approx. X cubic meters of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood were imported in Asia; approximately mirroring the previous year's figure. In general, imports, however, showed a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 1.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X cubic meters in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, railway sleeper imports stood at $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, faced a abrupt setback. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Israel (X cubic meters), distantly followed by Uzbekistan (X cubic meters), Kazakhstan (X cubic meters), Taiwan (Chinese) (X cubic meters) and Azerbaijan (X cubic meters) represented the major importers of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood, together generating 70% of total imports. Thailand (X cubic meters), Kyrgyzstan (X cubic meters), Malaysia (X cubic meters), Kuwait (X cubic meters), Bahrain (X cubic meters), Hong Kong SAR (X cubic meters) and Tajikistan (X cubic meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Kuwait (with a CAGR of +86.5%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Israel ($X), Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) and Uzbekistan ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 51% share of total imports. Azerbaijan, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong SAR, Tajikistan, Malaysia, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan and Bahrain lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

Kuwait, with a CAGR of +37.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Asia stood at $X per cubic meter in 2021, with an increase of 3.3% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the import price increased by 9.7% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Hong Kong SAR ($X per cubic meter), while Bahrain ($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 Taiwan (Chinese) (+12.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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