MENA: Railway Sleeper Market 2024

Railway Sleeper Market Size in MENA

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was decline in the MENA's railway sleeper market, when its value decreased by -3.7% to $X. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2020, and then fell in the following year.

Railway Sleeper Production in MENA

In value terms, railway sleeper production declined slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the production volume increased by 19%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Railway Sleeper Exports

Exports in MENA

For the fourth year in a row, MENA recorded growth in shipments abroad of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood, which increased by 48% to X cubic meters in 2021. In general, exports enjoyed a buoyant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 156%. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, railway sleeper exports amounted to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a abrupt curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 114% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Saudi Arabia prevails in exports structure, recording X cubic meters, which was approx. 90% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Lebanon (X cubic meters), generating a 5% share of total exports. Bahrain (X cubic meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to railway sleeper exports from Saudi Arabia stood at +15.4%. At the same time, Lebanon (+23.9%) and Bahrain (+15.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Lebanon emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MENA, with a CAGR of +23.9% from 2012-2021. While the share of Saudi Arabia (+41 p.p.), Lebanon (+3.6 p.p.) and Bahrain (+1.8 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) remains the largest railway sleeper supplier in MENA, comprising 63% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Lebanon ($X), with a 23% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Saudi Arabia totaled -7.2%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Lebanon (+23.7% per year) and Bahrain (+23.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in MENA amounted to $X per cubic meter, reducing by -28.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a drastic downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 35%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per cubic meter in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Lebanon ($X per cubic meter), while Saudi Arabia ($X per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bahrain (+6.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Railway Sleeper Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2021, supplies from abroad of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood increased by 5.7% to X cubic meters, rising for the sixth consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, imports, however, showed a pronounced slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 42% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X cubic meters in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, railway sleeper imports rose rapidly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports recorded resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 60% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

Israel (X cubic meters) and Algeria (X cubic meters) represented roughly 75% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Egypt (X cubic meters), committing a 12% share of total imports. Kuwait (X cubic meters), Bahrain (X cubic meters), Iran (X cubic meters) and the United Arab Emirates (X cubic meters) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Kuwait (with a CAGR of +86.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Algeria ($X), Israel ($X) and Kuwait ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 85% share of total imports.

Kuwait, with a CAGR of +37.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in MENA amounted to $X per cubic meter, picking up by 5.7% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the import price increased by 62% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per cubic meter in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per cubic meter), while Bahrain ($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 Israel (+7.6%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform