Romania: Railway Sleeper Market 2025

Railway Sleeper Market Size in Romania

After five years of growth, the Romanian railway sleeper market decreased by -54.6% to $X in 2021. In general, consumption, however, recorded a pronounced expansion. Railway sleeper consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then reduced dramatically in the following year.

Railway Sleeper Production in Romania

In value terms, railway sleeper production shrank to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +7.8% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 71%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

Railway Sleeper Exports

Exports from Romania

For the third year in a row, Romania recorded growth in overseas shipments of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood, which increased by 5.5% to X cubic meters in 2019. Overall, exports, however, recorded a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 14%. The exports peaked at X cubic meters in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2019, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, railway sleeper exports rose remarkably to $X in 2019. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2019; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2019, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The UK (X cubic meters), Hungary (X cubic meters) and Albania (X cubic meters) were the main destinations of railway sleeper exports from Romania, together comprising 87% of total exports. These countries were followed by the Netherlands, Turkey and Serbia, which together accounted for a further 10%.

From 2012 to 2019, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +49.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Hungary ($X), the UK ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) constituted the largest markets for railway sleeper exported from Romania worldwide, with a combined 91% share of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +61.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2019, the average railway sleeper export price amounted to $X per cubic meter, almost unchanged from the previous year. Overall, the export price showed prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 78%. The export price peaked in 2019 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Hungary ($X per cubic meter), while the average price for exports to Albania ($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 Iraq (+75.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Railway Sleeper Imports

Imports into Romania

In 2019, the amount of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood imported into Romania declined to X cubic meters, with a decrease of -13.7% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, imports faced a significant contraction. The smallest decline of -11.4% was in 2015. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure 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 modestly to $X in 2019. In general, imports faced a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2019, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

France (X cubic meters), Austria (X cubic meters) and Germany (X cubic meters) were the main suppliers of railway sleeper imports to Romania, with a combined 100% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2019, the biggest increases were recorded for Austria (with a CAGR of +6.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, the largest railway sleeper suppliers to Romania were France ($X), Austria ($X) and Germany ($X), with a combined 99.9% share of total imports.

Austria, with a CAGR of +21.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

In 2019, the average railway sleeper import price amounted to $X per cubic meter, rising by 12% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2019: its price increased at an average annual rate of +11.0% 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 +54.9% against 2015 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 54%. The import price peaked in 2019 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2019, the country with the highest price was France ($X per cubic meter), while the price for Austria ($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 Hungary (+49.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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