France: Railway Sleeper Market 2025

Railway Sleeper Market Size in France

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was growth in the French railway sleeper market, when its value increased by 3.9% to $X. In general, consumption, however, saw a pronounced reduction. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Railway Sleeper Production in France

In value terms, railway sleeper production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production saw a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 828% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Railway Sleeper Exports

Exports from France

In 2021, shipments abroad of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood decreased by -2.7% to X cubic meters, falling for the fifth consecutive year after five years of growth. Overall, exports showed a dramatic contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 22%. The exports peaked at X cubic meters in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, railway sleeper exports reduced to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports showed a sharp descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Germany (X cubic meters) was the main destination for railway sleeper exports from France, with a 39% share of total exports. Moreover, railway sleeper exports to Germany exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Algeria (X cubic meters), twofold. The Czech Republic (X cubic meters) ranked third in terms of total exports with an 8.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Germany totaled -46.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Algeria (-39.1% per year) and the Czech Republic (-48.8% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for railway sleeper exported from France were Germany ($X), Austria ($X) and Algeria ($X), with a combined 66% share of total exports. These countries were followed by the Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Sweden, Bulgaria, Romania, Spain, Luxembourg, the UK and Saudi Arabia, which together accounted for a further 26%.

Slovakia, with a CAGR of -27.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average railway sleeper export price amounted to $X per cubic meter, standing approx. at the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a pronounced curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 69%. The export price peaked at $X per cubic meter in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Austria ($X per cubic meter), while the average price for exports to Saudi Arabia ($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 Austria (+9.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Railway Sleeper Imports

Imports into France

In 2021, supplies from abroad of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood decreased by -0.1% to X cubic meters, falling for the third year in a row after four years of growth. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate prominent growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 66% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X cubic meters in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

In value terms, railway sleeper imports expanded to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, enjoyed a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 50%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Belgium (X cubic meters) constituted the largest supplier of railway sleeper to France, accounting for a 67% share of total imports. Moreover, railway sleeper imports from Belgium exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Germany (X cubic meters), threefold. Poland (X cubic meters) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Belgium stood at +5.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+44.1% per year) and Poland (+13.7% per year).

In value terms, Belgium ($X) constituted the largest supplier of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood to France, comprising 65% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 26% share of total imports. It was followed by Poland, with a 7.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Belgium stood at +7.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+46.8% per year) and Poland (+15.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average railway sleeper import price stood at $X per cubic meter in 2021, with an increase of 5% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.3%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the average import price increased by 12%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per cubic meter), while the price for Spain ($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 Germany (+1.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :