Europe: Railway Sleeper Market 2025

Railway Sleeper Market Size in Europe

In 2021, the Europe railway sleeper market decreased by -5.5% to $X, falling for the second consecutive year after four years of growth. The total consumption indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption decreased by -6.8% against 2019 indices. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Railway Sleeper Production in Europe

In value terms, railway sleeper production declined to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +66.1% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 22% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

Railway Sleeper Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2021, the amount of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood exported in Europe declined modestly to X cubic meters, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. In general, exports faced a precipitous setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X cubic meters. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, railway sleeper exports expanded slightly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports continue to indicate a significant curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when exports increased by 7.7% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The shipments of the three major exporters of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood, namely Belarus, Norway and Bosnia and Herzegovina, represented more than two-thirds of total export. It was distantly followed by Switzerland (X cubic meters), achieving a 7% share of total exports. Ukraine (X cubic meters) held a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Bosnia and Herzegovina (with a CAGR of +14.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, the largest railway sleeper supplying countries in Europe were Bosnia and Herzegovina ($X), Belarus ($X) and Switzerland ($X), together comprising 88% of total exports.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a CAGR of +14.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Europe amounted to $X per cubic meter, surging by 3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a pronounced decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per cubic meter in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($X per cubic meter), while Norway ($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 Norway (+11.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Railway Sleeper Imports

Imports in Europe

Railway sleeper imports amounted to X cubic meters in 2021, increasing by 11% compared with 2020 figures. Overall, imports posted a moderate increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when imports increased by 45%. The volume of import peaked at X cubic meters in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, railway sleeper imports totaled $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 30%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the UK (X cubic meters) represented the key importer of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood, comprising 77% of total imports. It was distantly followed by France (X cubic meters), making up a 13% share of total imports. Switzerland (X cubic meters) and Ukraine (X cubic meters) held a little share of total imports.

The UK was also the fastest-growing in terms of the railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood imports, with a CAGR of +39.0% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, France (+6.8%) and Ukraine (+4.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Switzerland (-2.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the UK (+72 p.p.) and France (+3.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Switzerland (-1.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest railway sleeper importing markets in Europe were France ($X), the UK ($X) and Switzerland ($X), together accounting for 76% of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, France, with a CAGR of +9.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Europe stood at $X per cubic meter in 2021, declining by -6.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a abrupt contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the import price increased by 0.5%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per cubic meter. From 2014 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($X per cubic meter), while the UK ($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 France (+2.3%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform