Spain: Railway Sleeper Market 2024

Railway Sleeper Market Size in Spain

In 2021, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in the Spanish railway sleeper market, when its value decreased by -22.8% to $X. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Railway sleeper consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then plummeted in the following year.

Railway Sleeper Production in Spain

In value terms, railway sleeper production contracted significantly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a noticeable expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 65% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2020, and then declined remarkably in the following year.

Railway Sleeper Exports

Exports from Spain

After three years of growth, overseas shipments of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood decreased by -0.3% to X cubic meters in 2019. In general, exports, however, showed a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 234% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X cubic meters in 2018, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, railway sleeper exports amounted to $X in 2019. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a significant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 173% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2019 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

France (X cubic meters) was the main destination for railway sleeper exports from Spain, accounting for a 55% share of total exports. Moreover, railway sleeper exports to France exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Algeria (X cubic meters), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Belgium (X cubic meters), with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2019, the average annual growth rate of volume to France totaled +47.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Algeria (+97.4% per year) and Belgium (+57.0% per year).

In value terms, Algeria ($X) remains the key foreign market for railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood exports from Spain, comprising 88% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by France ($X), with a 5.8% share of total exports. It was followed by Belgium, with a 2.6% share.

From 2012 to 2019, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Algeria stood at +126.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (-0.4% per year) and Belgium (+16.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2019, the average railway sleeper export price amounted to $X per cubic meter, almost unchanged from the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the average export price increased by 139% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per cubic meter in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2019, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2019, the country with the highest price was Algeria ($X per cubic meter), while the average price for exports to the UK ($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 Algeria (+14.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Railway Sleeper Imports

Imports into Spain

For the third consecutive year, Spain recorded decline in purchases abroad of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood, which decreased by -7.9% to X cubic meters in 2019. Over the period under review, imports saw a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 67%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X cubic meters. From 2017 to 2019, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, railway sleeper imports dropped to $X in 2019. In general, imports saw a deep reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when imports increased by 60%. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2019, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2019, France (X cubic meters) constituted the largest supplier of railway sleeper to Spain, accounting for a 85% share of total imports. Moreover, railway sleeper imports from France exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Poland (X cubic meters), tenfold. Sweden (X cubic meters) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 3.8% share.

From 2012 to 2019, the average annual growth rate of volume from France amounted to +1.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (-8.3% per year) and Sweden (-12.0% per year).

In value terms, France ($X) constituted the largest supplier of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood to Spain, comprising 61% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Sweden ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Poland, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2019, the average annual growth rate of value from France stood at -3.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Sweden (-17.2% per year) and Poland (+5.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2019, the average railway sleeper import price amounted to $X per cubic meter, approximately equating the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a perceptible curtailment. The import price peaked at $X per cubic meter in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2019, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per cubic meter), while the price for France ($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 Germany (+31.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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