China: Railway Sleeper Market 2025

Railway Sleeper Market Size in China

The Chinese railway sleeper market contracted to $X in 2021, approximately equating the previous year. In general, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Railway Sleeper Production in China

In value terms, railway sleeper production dropped to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a slight decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. Railway sleeper production peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Railway Sleeper Exports

Exports from China

In 2021, approx. X cubic meters of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood were exported from China; which is down by -92.9% on the previous year's figure. In general, exports recorded a sharp descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 229% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X cubic meters in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, railway sleeper exports declined markedly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports showed a precipitous shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 152% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Vietnam (X cubic meters), Botswana (X cubic meters) and Mozambique (X cubic meters) were the main destinations of railway sleeper exports from China, with a combined 75% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Kuwait, which accounted for a further 25%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Kuwait (with a CAGR of 0.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, Tanzania ($X) remains the key foreign market for railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood exports from China, comprising 69% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Vietnam ($X), with a 1% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Tanzania stood at -57.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Vietnam (-57.6% per year) and Japan (-76.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average railway sleeper export price amounted to $X per cubic meter, shrinking by -98.4% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a dramatic setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 65% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per cubic meter. From 2017 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Indonesia ($X per cubic meter), while the average price for exports to Kuwait (less than $X per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Bahrain (-2.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Railway Sleeper Imports

Imports into China

In 2021, purchases abroad of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood decreased by -5% to X cubic meters, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. In general, imports recorded a dramatic downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 11% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X cubic meters in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, railway sleeper imports expanded significantly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 49%. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Canada (X cubic meters) constituted the largest railway sleeper supplier to China, accounting for a 58% share of total imports. Moreover, railway sleeper imports from Canada exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (X cubic meters), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Malaysia (X cubic meters), with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Canada was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (-27.0% per year) and Malaysia (+34.4% per year).

In value terms, Malaysia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood to China, comprising 50% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Democratic People's Republic of Korea ($X), with a 24% share of total imports. It was followed by South Africa, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Malaysia stood at +116.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (-10.9% per year) and South Africa (+39.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average railway sleeper import price amounted to $X per cubic meter, rising by 11% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw prominent growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 an increase of 53%. The import price peaked at $X per cubic meter in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per cubic meter), while the price for Canada ($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 South Africa (+34.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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