SADC: Railway Sleeper Market 2025

Railway Sleeper Market Size in SADC

After three years of growth, the SADC railway sleeper market decreased by -10.3% to $X in 2021. The total consumption indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +60.1% against 2017 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X, and then shrank in the following year.

Railway Sleeper Production in SADC

In value terms, railway sleeper production contracted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% 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 +66.1% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the production volume increased by 31%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X, and then reduced in the following year.

Railway Sleeper Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2021, shipments abroad of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood increased by 35% to X cubic meters, rising for the third year in a row after four years of decline. Overall, exports, however, saw a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 342%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X cubic meters. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, railway sleeper exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a noticeable downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 378%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Mozambique prevails in exports structure, amounting to X cubic meters, which was near 91% of total exports in 2021. Tanzania (X cubic meters), South Africa (X cubic meters) and Swaziland (X cubic meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Mozambique was also the fastest-growing in terms of the railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood exports, with a CAGR of +16.6% from 2012 to 2021. Swaziland experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Tanzania (-12.8%) and South Africa (-35.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Mozambique increased by +77 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Mozambique ($X) remains the largest railway sleeper supplier in SADC, comprising 60% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Swaziland ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Tanzania, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Mozambique stood at +10.6%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Swaziland (+25.3% per year) and Tanzania (-9.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per cubic meter, which is down by -13.9% against the previous year. Export price indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, railway sleeper export price decreased by -27.9% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 56%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per cubic meter in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Swaziland ($X per cubic meter), while Mozambique ($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 South Africa (+27.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Railway Sleeper Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2021, supplies from abroad of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood increased by 11% to X cubic meters, rising for the fourth year in a row after three years of decline. Over the period under review, imports showed a remarkable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 166% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, railway sleeper imports expanded slightly to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, recorded a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Malawi dominates imports structure, amounting to X cubic meters, which was near 80% of total imports in 2021. Tanzania (X cubic meters) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 5.4% share, followed by Zambia (5%). Botswana (X cubic meters), Angola (X cubic meters), Democratic Republic of the Congo (X cubic meters) and Mauritius (X cubic meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Malawi was also the fastest-growing in terms of the railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood imports, with a CAGR of +42.5% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Zambia (+32.3%), Botswana (+23.4%), Democratic Republic of the Congo (+16.6%) and Mauritius (+11.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Angola (-2.7%) and Tanzania (-14.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Malawi (+72 p.p.), Zambia (+4.1 p.p.) and Botswana (+2.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Angola and Tanzania saw its share reduced by -3.8% and -44% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Tanzania ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood in SADC, comprising 40% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Angola ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Malawi, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Tanzania amounted to -5.8%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Angola (+1.4% per year) and Malawi (+18.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per cubic meter, declining by -5.7% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a deep reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the import price increased by 26%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per cubic meter in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Tanzania ($X per cubic meter), while Malawi ($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 Tanzania (+10.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform