Japan: Steel Railway Material Market 2025

Steel Railway Material Market Size in Japan

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was decline in the Japanese steel railway material market, when its value decreased by -1% to $X. In general, consumption saw a perceptible slump. Steel railway material consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Steel Railway Material Production in Japan

In value terms, steel railway material production dropped modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a noticeable contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Steel Railway Material Exports

Exports from Japan

In 2022, the amount of railway material of steel exported from Japan reduced to X tons, falling by -13.1% compared with the year before. Overall, exports saw a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 29% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, steel railway material exports stood at $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 29%. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United States (X tons), Brazil (X tons) and Canada (X tons) were the main destinations of steel railway material exports from Japan, with a combined 61% share of total exports. Australia, Mexico, India and Taiwan (Chinese) lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 32%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by India (with a CAGR of +21.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($X), Brazil ($X) and Canada ($X) were the largest markets for steel railway material exported from Japan worldwide, with a combined 65% share of total exports. Australia, Mexico, India and Taiwan (Chinese) lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

India, with a CAGR of +21.1%, saw 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 more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average steel railway material export price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 27% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a slight slump. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Mexico ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Russia (+18.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Steel Railway Material Imports

Imports into Japan

Steel railway material imports into Japan reduced to X tons in 2022, with a decrease of -10.2% on the year before. Overall, imports saw a pronounced downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, steel railway material imports fell to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports recorded a perceptible downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 35%. Imports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), South Korea (X tons) and the UK (X tons) were the main suppliers of steel railway material imports to Japan, together comprising 72% of total imports. Australia, Luxembourg, Taiwan (Chinese) and France lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 27%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Australia (with a CAGR of +42.2%), while imports for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, the largest steel railway material suppliers to Japan were China ($X), the UK ($X) and South Korea ($X), with a combined 75% share of total imports. Australia, Luxembourg, Taiwan (Chinese) and France lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 23%.

Australia, with a CAGR of +36.8%, 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 steel railway material import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, stabilizing at the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average import price increased by 25%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the price for Luxembourg ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+5.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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