Croatia: Railway Sleeper Market 2025

Railway Sleeper Market Size in Croatia

In 2021, the Croatian railway sleeper market increased by 5.9% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. In general, consumption, however, showed a perceptible curtailment. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Railway Sleeper Production in Croatia

In value terms, railway sleeper production contracted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a precipitous contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 32% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Railway Sleeper Exports

Exports from Croatia

For the fourth consecutive year, Croatia recorded decline in overseas shipments of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood, which decreased by -11.2% to X cubic meters in 2019. Over the period under review, exports saw a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 28%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X cubic meters in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2019, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, railway sleeper exports declined to $X in 2019. In general, exports showed a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 13% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2019, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Austria (X cubic meters) was the main destination for railway sleeper exports from Croatia, with a 68% share of total exports. Moreover, railway sleeper exports to Austria exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Slovenia (X cubic meters), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Montenegro (X cubic meters), with a 6.6% share.

From 2012 to 2019, the average annual growth rate of volume to Austria amounted to -11.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Slovenia (-11.3% per year) and Montenegro (-29.2% per year).

In value terms, Austria ($X) remains the key foreign market for railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood exports from Croatia, comprising 76% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Slovenia ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Montenegro, with a 4.1% share.

From 2012 to 2019, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Austria stood at -10.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Slovenia (-5.2% per year) and Montenegro (-28.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average railway sleeper export price stood at $X per cubic meter in 2019, surging by 5.7% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2019, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.5%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 8.4%. The export price peaked in 2019 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Austria ($X per cubic meter), while the average price for exports to Serbia ($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 Slovakia (+22.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Railway Sleeper Imports

Imports into Croatia

In 2019, the amount of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood imported into Croatia was estimated at X cubic meters, leveling off at the previous year's figure. Overall, total imports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2019: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +14.2% over the last seven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, imports decreased by -9.2% against 2013 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 178% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X cubic meters. From 2014 to 2019, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, railway sleeper imports rose notably to $X in 2019. In general, imports saw a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 265%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2019, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Germany (X cubic meters), Slovenia (X cubic meters) and Austria (X cubic meters) were the main suppliers of railway sleeper imports to Croatia, with a combined 94% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2019, the biggest increases were recorded for Slovenia (with a CAGR of +31.8%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X) constituted the largest supplier of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood to Croatia, comprising 73% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Slovenia ($X), with a 21% share of total imports. It was followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a 3.4% share.

From 2012 to 2019, the average annual growth rate of value from Germany totaled +37.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Slovenia (+20.7% per year) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (+9.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average railway sleeper import price stood at $X per cubic meter in 2019, with an increase of 12% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 31%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per cubic meter. From 2014 to 2019, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per cubic meter), while the price for Austria ($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 (+8.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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