Hungary: Railway Sleeper Market 2025

Railway Sleeper Market Size in Hungary

In 2021, after five years of growth, there was significant decline in the Hungarian railway sleeper market, when its value decreased by -9.8% to $X. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +57.0% against 2015 indices. Railway sleeper consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

Railway Sleeper Production in Hungary

In value terms, railway sleeper production shrank to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 33%. Railway sleeper production peaked at $X in 2020, and then reduced in the following year.

Railway Sleeper Exports

Exports from Hungary

In 2019, shipments abroad of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood decreased by -18.8% to X cubic meters, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 226% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X cubic meters. From 2017 to 2019, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, railway sleeper exports contracted to $X in 2019. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a significant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 177% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2019, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Czech Republic (X cubic meters) was the main destination for railway sleeper exports from Hungary, accounting for a approx. 100% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2019, the average annual growth rate of volume to the Czech Republic amounted to +169.3%.

In value terms, the Czech Republic ($X) also remains the key foreign market for railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood exports from Hungary.

From 2012 to 2019, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the Czech Republic amounted to +185.8%.

Export Prices by Country

The average railway sleeper export price stood at $X per cubic meter in 2019, picking up by 17% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2019: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the last seven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, railway sleeper export price increased by +61.6% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average export price increased by 48%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per cubic meter. From 2015 to 2019, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

As there is only one major export destination, the average price level is determined by prices for the Czech Republic.

From 2012 to 2019, the rate of growth in terms of prices for France amounted to +28.2% per year.

Railway Sleeper Imports

Imports into Hungary

In 2019, purchases abroad of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood decreased by -10.9% to X cubic meters, falling for the fifth year in a row after three years of growth. In general, imports, however, saw a pronounced expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 154%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X cubic meters. From 2015 to 2019, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, railway sleeper imports dropped notably to $X in 2019. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 141%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2019, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2019, Poland (X cubic meters) constituted the largest railway sleeper supplier to Hungary, accounting for a 59% share of total imports. Moreover, railway sleeper imports from Poland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Romania (X cubic meters), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by France (X cubic meters), with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2019, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Poland amounted to +32.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Romania (+5.1% per year) and France (+41.2% per year).

In value terms, Romania ($X), Poland ($X) and France ($X) constituted the largest railway sleeper suppliers to Hungary, with a combined 80% share of total imports.

France, with a CAGR of +52.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average railway sleeper import price stood at $X per cubic meter in 2019, waning by -5.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average import price increased by 31%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per cubic meter. From 2014 to 2019, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Romania ($X per cubic meter), while the price for Slovakia ($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 Slovakia (+18.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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