Australia and Oceania: Railway Sleeper Market 2025

Railway Sleeper Market Size in Australia and Oceania

In 2021, the railway sleeper market in Australia and Oceania decreased by -7.4% to $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year rising trend. The total consumption indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

Railway Sleeper Production in Australia and Oceania

In value terms, railway sleeper production shrank to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +87.0% against 2014 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the production volume increased by 21%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020, and then fell slightly in the following year.

Railway Sleeper Exports

Exports in Australia and Oceania

Railway sleeper exports surged to X cubic meters in 2021, growing by 33% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports posted significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 201%. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In value terms, railway sleeper exports surged to $X in 2021. In general, exports saw significant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 144% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Australia (X cubic meters) represented the main exporter of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood in Australia and Oceania, generating 100% of total export.

Australia was also the fastest-growing in terms of the railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood exports, with a CAGR of +24.5% from 2012 to 2021. The shares of the largest exporters remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Australia ($X) also remains the largest railway sleeper supplier in Australia and Oceania.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Australia stood at +22.9%.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Australia and Oceania amounted to $X per cubic meter, waning by -11.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a slight contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 96% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per cubic meter in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

As there is only one major export destination, the average price level is determined by prices for Australia.

From 2012 to 2021, the rate of growth in terms of prices for Australia amounted to -1.3% per year.

Railway Sleeper Imports

Imports in Australia and Oceania

In 2021, purchases abroad of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood increased by 4.4% to X cubic meters, rising for the second consecutive year after five years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a drastic downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 28%. 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 dropped slightly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 26%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Tonga represented the major importer of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood in Australia and Oceania, with the volume of imports amounting to X cubic meters, which was approx. 62% of total imports in 2021. New Zealand (X cubic meters) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Fiji (X cubic meters). All these countries together took approx. 33% share of total imports. Tuvalu (X cubic meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Tonga increased at an average annual rate of +17.2% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Fiji (+21.5%) and Tuvalu (+9.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Fiji emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Australia and Oceania, with a CAGR of +21.5% from 2012-2021. By contrast, New Zealand (-28.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Tonga (+60 p.p.), Fiji (+4.9 p.p.) and Tuvalu (+3.3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of New Zealand (-68 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the largest railway sleeper importing markets in Australia and Oceania were New Zealand ($X), Tonga ($X) and Fiji ($X), with a combined 94% share of total imports.

Fiji, with a CAGR of +19.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Australia and Oceania amounted to $X per cubic meter, waning by -5.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 7.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per cubic meter in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Fiji ($X per cubic meter), while Tonga ($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 New Zealand (+8.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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