Europe: Steel Railway Material Market 2024

Steel Railway Material Market Size in Europe

The Europe steel railway material market stood at $X in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a mild slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 9.1%. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Steel Railway Material Production in Europe

In value terms, steel railway material production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a perceptible slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 5.5% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Steel Railway Material Exports

Exports in Europe

After two years of growth, overseas shipments of railway material of steel decreased by -0.5% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a mild descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 7.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, steel railway material exports rose markedly to $X in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 18%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Austria represented the main exporter of railway material of steel in Europe, with the volume of exports reaching X tons, which was approx. 31% of total exports in 2022. The Czech Republic (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Russia (X tons), Spain (X tons), Poland (X tons) and Germany (X tons). All these countries together took near 53% share of total exports. Luxembourg (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to steel railway material exports from Austria stood at +1.1%. At the same time, Poland (+7.3%), Spain (+5.5%) and Luxembourg (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Poland emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Europe, with a CAGR of +7.3% from 2012-2022. Russia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the Czech Republic (-1.2%) and Germany (-3.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Austria (+5.9 p.p.), Poland (+5.6 p.p.) and Spain (+5.6 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Austria ($X) remains the largest steel railway material supplier in Europe, comprising 26% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Spain ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by Poland, with a 9.4% share.

In Austria, steel railway material exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Spain (+6.4% per year) and Poland (+10.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 11% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.0%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the export price increased by 14%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+2.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Steel Railway Material Imports

Imports in Europe

In 2022, purchases abroad of railway material of steel decreased by -1% to X tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after two years of growth. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, steel railway material imports rose significantly to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 22%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Germany (X tons) was the key importer of railway material of steel, generating 29% of total imports. It was distantly followed by France (X tons), Italy (X tons), Switzerland (X tons) and Sweden (X tons), together making up a 28% share of total imports. Poland (X tons), Belgium (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Russia (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Portugal (X tons), the UK (X tons) and Hungary (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Germany increased at an average annual rate of +7.0% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Portugal (+31.6%), Italy (+20.0%), the Czech Republic (+18.1%), France (+7.3%), Hungary (+3.6%), the Netherlands (+2.7%) and Sweden (+1.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Portugal emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Europe, with a CAGR of +31.6% from 2012-2022. Switzerland, the UK and Poland experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Belgium (-2.7%) and Russia (-16.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Germany (+12 p.p.), Italy (+7.2 p.p.), France (+3.9 p.p.), Portugal (+2.5 p.p.) and the Czech Republic (+2.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Belgium and Russia saw its share reduced by -2.3% and -19.3% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Germany ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported railway material of steel in Europe, comprising 23% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Italy ($X), with a 9.7% share of total imports. It was followed by Switzerland, with a 6.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Germany stood at +5.9%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Italy (+14.8% per year) and Switzerland (+0.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 9.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a mild decrease. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+4.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform