Belgium: Railway Sleeper Market 2024

Railway Sleeper Market Size in Belgium

The Belgian railway sleeper market expanded slightly to $X in 2021, with an increase of 3.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +2.1% against 2018 indices. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Railway Sleeper Production in Belgium

In value terms, railway sleeper production shrank to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Railway Sleeper Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2019, overseas shipments of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood decreased by -70.4% to X cubic meters, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, exports recorded a dramatic decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when exports increased by 58%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X cubic meters. From 2017 to 2019, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, railway sleeper exports shrank rapidly to $X in 2019. Over the period under review, exports saw a significant decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 36% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2019, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

France (X cubic meters) was the main destination for railway sleeper exports from Belgium, with a 63% share of total exports. Moreover, railway sleeper exports to France exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Egypt (X cubic meters), sixfold. The UK (X cubic meters) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 7.8% share.

From 2012 to 2019, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to France stood at -16.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Egypt (0.0% per year) and the UK (-31.2% per year).

In value terms, France ($X) remains the key foreign market for railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood exports from Belgium, comprising 74% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Luxembourg ($X), with a 6.3% share of total exports. It was followed by Germany, with a 5.2% share.

From 2012 to 2019, the average annual growth rate of value to France amounted to -36.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Luxembourg (-41.1% per year) and Germany (-47.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average railway sleeper export price stood at $X per cubic meter in 2019, shrinking by -48.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price faced a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average export price increased by 15%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per cubic meter. From 2015 to 2019, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Luxembourg ($X per cubic meter), while the average price for exports to Egypt ($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 Mauritania (-9.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Railway Sleeper Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2019, imports of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood into Belgium rose modestly to X cubic meters, with an increase of 1.9% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 729% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X cubic meters. From 2015 to 2019, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, railway sleeper imports reached $X in 2019. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a sharp contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 483% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2019, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2019, Poland (X cubic meters) constituted the largest supplier of railway sleeper to Belgium, with a 66% share of total imports. Moreover, railway sleeper imports from Poland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the Netherlands (X cubic meters), threefold. Germany (X cubic meters) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 5.3% share.

From 2012 to 2019, the average annual growth rate of volume from Poland totaled +29.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (-27.6% per year) and Germany (-10.7% per year).

In value terms, the largest railway sleeper suppliers to Belgium were Poland ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Germany ($X), together comprising 94% of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, Poland, with a CAGR of +5.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Import Prices by Country

In 2019, the average railway sleeper import price amounted to $X per cubic meter, flattening at the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the average import price increased by 7.8%. The import price peaked at $X per cubic meter in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2019, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per cubic meter), while the price for Spain ($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 Germany (-2.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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