Benelux: Railway Sleeper Market 2025

Railway Sleeper Market Size in Benelux

The Benelux railway sleeper market rose to $X in 2021, increasing by 3% against the previous year. Overall, consumption recorded a temperate expansion. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Railway Sleeper Production in Benelux

In value terms, railway sleeper production reduced to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 17%. 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 in Benelux

For the fourth consecutive year, Benelux recorded decline in shipments abroad of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood, which decreased by -11.8% to X cubic meters in 2019. In general, exports continue to indicate a deep reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 218% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X cubic meters. From 2016 to 2019, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, railway sleeper exports fell rapidly to $X in 2019. Overall, exports showed a significant decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2019, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2019, the Netherlands (X cubic meters) represented the key exporter of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood, mixing up 88% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Belgium (X cubic meters), creating a 12% share of total exports.

The Netherlands was also the fastest-growing in terms of the railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood exports, with a CAGR of +4.3% from 2012 to 2019. Belgium (-27.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2019, the share of the Netherlands increased by +54 percentage points.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) emerged as the largest railway sleeper supplier in Benelux, comprising 64% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Belgium ($X), with a 28% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2019, the average annual growth rate of value in the Netherlands totaled -13.6%.

Export Prices by Country

In 2019, the export price in Benelux amounted to $X per cubic meter, dropping by -54.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price faced a dramatic descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 97% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per cubic meter in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2019, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2019, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per cubic meter), while the Netherlands stood at $X per cubic meter.

From 2012 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (-17.1%).

Railway Sleeper Imports

Imports in Benelux

Railway sleeper imports totaled X cubic meters in 2019, with an increase of 2.3% on the previous year. In general, imports showed a remarkable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 217% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X cubic meters. From 2015 to 2019, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, railway sleeper imports reduced modestly to $X in 2019. Overall, imports, however, showed a pronounced descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 57%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2019, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands represented the largest importing country with an import of around X cubic meters, which amounted to 75% of total imports. Luxembourg (X cubic meters) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 16% share, followed by Belgium (8.6%).

The Netherlands was also the fastest-growing in terms of the railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood imports, with a CAGR of +23.5% from 2012 to 2019. Luxembourg (-1.4%) and Belgium (-15.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the Netherlands (+48 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2019, the share of Luxembourg (-12.6 p.p.) and Belgium (-35 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the largest railway sleeper importing markets in Benelux were the Netherlands ($X), Luxembourg ($X) and Belgium ($X).

The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +8.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

In 2019, the import price in Benelux amounted to $X per cubic meter, waning by -4.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a abrupt curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 9.6% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per cubic meter. From 2014 to 2019, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Luxembourg ($X per cubic meter), while Belgium ($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 Luxembourg (+0.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform