ECOWAS: Railway Sleeper Market 2025

Railway Sleeper Market Size in ECOWAS

In 2021, the ECOWAS railway sleeper market increased by 7.5% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, consumption showed a strong increase. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Railway Sleeper Production in ECOWAS

In value terms, railway sleeper production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 76%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Railway Sleeper Exports

Exports in ECOWAS

In 2021, shipments abroad of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood increased by 5.9% to X cubic meters, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, exports, however, faced a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 27%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X cubic meters. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, railway sleeper exports rose sharply to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded a drastic downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 36%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Benin (X cubic meters) and Nigeria (X cubic meters) prevails in exports structure, together achieving 96% of total exports. Ghana (X cubic meters) held a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Ghana (with a CAGR of -7.9%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, Benin ($X) remains the largest railway sleeper supplier in ECOWAS, comprising 65% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Nigeria ($X), with a 32% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Benin stood at -20.4%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Nigeria (+4.8% per year) and Ghana (-11.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in ECOWAS stood at $X per cubic meter in 2021, growing by 2.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the export price increased by 29%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per cubic meter. From 2019 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Benin ($X per cubic meter), while Nigeria ($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 Nigeria (+26.9%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Railway Sleeper Imports

Imports in ECOWAS

Railway sleeper imports declined to X cubic meters in 2021, waning by -2.7% against the year before. In general, imports saw a precipitous setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 91% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X cubic meters in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, railway sleeper imports dropped to $X in 2021. Overall, imports recorded a sharp descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 36% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Nigeria was the major importer of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood in ECOWAS, with the volume of imports recording X cubic meters, which was near 64% of total imports in 2021. Senegal (X cubic meters) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Liberia (X cubic meters) and Guinea (X cubic meters). All these countries together held approx. 31% share of total imports. Togo (X cubic meters) held a minor share of total imports.

Nigeria was also the fastest-growing in terms of the railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood imports, with a CAGR of +12.5% from 2012 to 2021. Guinea (-3.2%), Togo (-7.9%), Senegal (-18.6%) and Liberia (-37.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Nigeria (+62 p.p.), Guinea (+5.8 p.p.), Senegal (+3.6 p.p.) and Togo (+3.2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Liberia saw its share reduced by -67.2% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, the largest railway sleeper importing markets in ECOWAS were Liberia ($X), Nigeria ($X) and Guinea ($X), with a combined 82% share of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, Guinea, with a CAGR of +1.2%, recorded 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 trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in ECOWAS amounted to $X per cubic meter, reducing by -7.8% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a deep slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by 5.5%. The level of import peaked at $X per cubic meter in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Liberia ($X per cubic meter), while Nigeria ($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 Senegal (+5.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform