Middle East: Railway Sleeper Market 2025

Railway Sleeper Market Size in the Middle East

In 2021, the Middle Eastern railway sleeper market decreased by -4.5% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Railway Sleeper Production in the Middle East

In value terms, railway sleeper production reduced slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 21%. 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 the Middle East

In 2021, approx. X cubic meters of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood were exported in the Middle East; rising by 48% compared with the previous year's figure. In general, exports recorded a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 156%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, railway sleeper exports expanded notably to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, saw a abrupt decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 114% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs 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, reaching X cubic meters, which was near 90% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Lebanon (X cubic meters), constituting a 5% share of total exports. Bahrain (X cubic meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Saudi Arabia increased at an average annual rate of +15.4% from 2012 to 2021. 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 the Middle East, 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 ($X) remains the largest railway sleeper supplier in the Middle East, comprising 63% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Lebanon ($X), with a 23% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Saudi Arabia stood at -7.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Lebanon (+23.7% per year) and Bahrain (+23.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the Middle East stood at $X per cubic meter in 2021, falling by -28.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a abrupt slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 32% against the previous year. The level of export peaked 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 the Middle East

In 2021, supplies from abroad of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood increased by 10% to X cubic meters, rising for the sixth consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a deep downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when imports increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X cubic meters in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, railway sleeper imports rose notably to $X in 2021. In general, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 26% 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 prevails in imports structure, recording X cubic meters, which was near 78% of total imports in 2021. Kuwait (X cubic meters) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 6.7% share, followed by Bahrain (6.3%). The following importers - Iran (X cubic meters), the United Arab Emirates (X cubic meters) and Oman (X cubic meters) - together made up 8.1% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to railway sleeper imports into Israel stood at +5.7%. At the same time, Kuwait (+86.5%), the United Arab Emirates (+15.0%), Bahrain (+7.5%) and Iran (+1.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Kuwait emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +86.5% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Oman (-18.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Israel (+56 p.p.), Kuwait (+6.7 p.p.), Bahrain (+4.8 p.p.), the United Arab Emirates (+2.6 p.p.) and Iran (+1.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Oman (-3.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Israel ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood in the Middle East, comprising 64% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Kuwait ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with a 12% share.

In Israel, railway sleeper imports increased at an average annual rate of +13.7% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Kuwait (+37.9% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+11.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in the Middle East amounted to $X per cubic meter, leveling off at the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 74% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per cubic meter in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: 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 Oman (+7.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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