Poland: Railway Sleeper Market 2024

Railway Sleeper Market Size in Poland

In 2021, the Polish railway sleeper market decreased by -6.3% to $X, falling for the third year in a row after three years of growth. Over the period under review, consumption saw a slight descent. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Railway Sleeper Production in Poland

In value terms, railway sleeper production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a slight setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 43%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Railway Sleeper Exports

Exports from Poland

In 2019, overseas shipments of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood decreased by -22.2% to X cubic meters, falling for the fifth consecutive year after three years of growth. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 168% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X cubic meters. From 2015 to 2019, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, railway sleeper exports totaled $X in 2019. Overall, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 148%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2019, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The UK (X cubic meters), Belgium (X cubic meters) and Spain (X cubic meters) were the main destinations of railway sleeper exports from Poland, with a combined 70% share of total exports. Sweden, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Germany and Austria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.

From 2012 to 2019, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +98.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Sweden ($X) remains the key foreign market for railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood exports from Poland, comprising 34% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Belgium ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by the UK, with an 8.8% share.

From 2012 to 2019, the average annual growth rate of value to Sweden amounted to +14.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (+43.3% per year) and the UK (-14.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2019, the average railway sleeper export price amounted to $X per cubic meter, picking up by 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a abrupt setback. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per cubic meter in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2019, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2019, the country with the highest price was Austria ($X per cubic meter), while the average price for exports to Spain ($X per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Austria (+12.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Railway Sleeper Imports

Imports into Poland

For the third year in a row, Poland recorded decline in purchases abroad of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood, which decreased by -9.1% to X cubic meters in 2019. In general, imports recorded a deep downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when imports increased by 633% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X cubic meters in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2019, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, railway sleeper imports fell to $X in 2019. Overall, imports showed a perceptible shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 1,007% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2019, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2019, Ukraine (X cubic meters) was the main supplier of railway sleeper to Poland, accounting for a 92% share of total imports. Moreover, railway sleeper imports from Ukraine exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, France (X cubic meters), more than tenfold. Germany (X cubic meters) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 2.8% share.

From 2012 to 2019, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Ukraine was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+37.9% per year) and Germany (+3.2% per year).

In value terms, Ukraine ($X) constituted the largest supplier of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood to Poland, comprising 83% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 7.7% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with a 6.7% share.

From 2012 to 2019, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Ukraine amounted to +2.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+6.5% per year) and France (+54.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2019, the average railway sleeper import price amounted to $X per cubic meter, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2019: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last seven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, railway sleeper import price increased by +56.9% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 51% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2019 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was the Czech Republic ($X per cubic meter), while the price for the Netherlands ($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 Romania (+39.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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