Austria: Railway Sleeper Market 2025

Railway Sleeper Market Size in Austria

In 2021, the Austrian railway sleeper market decreased by 0% to less than $X, falling for the second year in a row after five years of growth. In general, consumption recorded a measured increase. Railway sleeper consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Railway Sleeper Exports

Exports from Austria

In 2019, overseas shipments of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood decreased by -10.3% to X cubic meters, falling for the fifth year in a row after three years of growth. Overall, exports, however, showed a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 458%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X cubic meters. From 2015 to 2019, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, railway sleeper exports fell to $X in 2019. In general, exports, however, saw buoyant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 637% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2019, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Algeria (X cubic meters) was the main destination for railway sleeper exports from Austria, accounting for a 75% share of total exports. Moreover, railway sleeper exports to Algeria exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Germany (X cubic meters), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Italy (X cubic meters), with a 4.6% share.

From 2012 to 2019, the average annual growth rate of volume to Algeria amounted to +35.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-20.2% per year) and Italy (+25.1% per year).

In value terms, Algeria ($X) remains the key foreign market for railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood exports from Austria, comprising 62% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with an 8.2% share of total exports. It was followed by Italy, with a 7.3% share.

From 2012 to 2019, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Algeria totaled +12.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-8.7% per year) and Italy (+21.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2019, the average railway sleeper export price amounted to $X per cubic meter, approximately reflecting the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a pronounced contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 32%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per cubic meter in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2019, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2019, the country with the highest price was Norway ($X per cubic meter), while the average price for exports to Lithuania ($X per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Germany (+14.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Railway Sleeper Imports

Imports into Austria

In 2019, supplies from abroad of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood increased by 20% to X cubic meters, rising for the fifth year in a row after two years of decline. In general, imports continue to indicate a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 76%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2019 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In value terms, railway sleeper imports skyrocketed to $X in 2019. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2019, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2019, Croatia (X cubic meters) constituted the largest supplier of railway sleeper to Austria, with a 70% share of total imports. Moreover, railway sleeper imports from Croatia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, France (X cubic meters), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by the Czech Republic (X cubic meters), with a 6.7% share.

From 2012 to 2019, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Croatia stood at +8.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+15.8% per year) and the Czech Republic (+73.5% per year).

In value terms, the largest railway sleeper suppliers to Austria were the Czech Republic ($X), France ($X) and Croatia ($X), together comprising 92% of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, the Czech Republic, with a CAGR of +87.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

The average railway sleeper import price stood at $X per cubic meter in 2019, with a decrease of -3.6% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average import price increased by 11%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per cubic meter. From 2015 to 2019, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2019, the country with the highest price was the Czech Republic ($X per cubic meter), while the price for Croatia ($X per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+8.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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