Malaysia: Railway Sleeper Market 2025

Railway Sleeper Market Size in Malaysia

In 2021, after four years of decline, there was growth in the Malaysian railway sleeper market, when its value increased by 3% to $X. Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Railway sleeper consumption peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Railway Sleeper Production in Malaysia

In value terms, railway sleeper production rose to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 39% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Railway Sleeper Exports

Exports from Malaysia

In 2021, the amount of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood exported from Malaysia contracted remarkably to X cubic meters, reducing by -17.1% on 2020 figures. Overall, exports showed a sharp decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 228% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X cubic meters. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, railway sleeper exports shrank dramatically to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports showed a dramatic descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 44% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Japan (X cubic meters) was the main destination for railway sleeper exports from Malaysia, accounting for a 58% share of total exports. Moreover, railway sleeper exports to Japan exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, China (X cubic meters), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Singapore (X cubic meters), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Japan stood at -17.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (+37.9% per year) and Singapore (-31.8% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) remains the key foreign market for railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood exports from Malaysia, comprising 44% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Thailand ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Qatar, with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to China totaled +77.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Thailand (-19.6% per year) and Qatar (+25.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average railway sleeper export price amounted to $X per cubic meter, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a mild downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 205%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per cubic meter in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was China ($X per cubic meter), while the average price for exports to Japan ($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 Jordan (+28.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Railway Sleeper Imports

Imports into Malaysia

In 2021, after five years of growth, there was decline in overseas purchases of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood, when their volume decreased by -2.1% to X cubic meters. Overall, imports, however, saw a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 91%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X cubic meters in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, railway sleeper imports reached $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 55%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

Singapore (X cubic meters) and China (X cubic meters) were the main suppliers of railway sleeper imports to Malaysia.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +100.1%).

In value terms, Singapore ($X) constituted the largest supplier of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood to Malaysia, comprising 94% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($X), with a 6.5% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Singapore totaled +13.7%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average railway sleeper import price amounted to $X per cubic meter, picking up by 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a deep slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 36%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per cubic meter in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Singapore ($X per cubic meter), while the price for China totaled $X per cubic meter.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Singapore (-0.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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