Netherlands: Railway Sleeper Market 2025

Railway Sleeper Market Size in the Netherlands

In 2021, the Dutch railway sleeper market increased by 0.5% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Railway Sleeper Production in the Netherlands

In value terms, railway sleeper production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the production volume increased by 115%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Railway Sleeper Exports

Exports from the Netherlands

For the third consecutive year, the Netherlands recorded growth in overseas shipments of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood, which increased by 19% to X cubic meters in 2019. Over the period under review, exports recorded moderate growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 1,974%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X cubic meters. From 2016 to 2019, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, railway sleeper exports expanded markedly to $X in 2019. In general, exports, however, recorded a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 771% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2019, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Belgium (X cubic meters), the UK (X cubic meters) and France (X cubic meters) were the main destinations of railway sleeper exports from the Netherlands, with a combined 92% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Israel, Germany and Switzerland, which together accounted for a further 5.5%.

From 2012 to 2019, the biggest increases were recorded for Israel (with a CAGR of +67.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), Belgium ($X) and Israel ($X) were the largest markets for railway sleeper exported from the Netherlands worldwide, together accounting for 70% of total exports.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Israel, with a CAGR of +62.1%, 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

The average railway sleeper export price stood at $X per cubic meter in 2019, shrinking by -7.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 54%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per cubic meter. From 2014 to 2019, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per cubic meter), while the average price for exports to the UK ($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 Germany (+37.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Railway Sleeper Imports

Imports into the Netherlands

In 2019, imports of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood into the Netherlands expanded notably to X cubic meters, growing by 5.6% against the previous year. Overall, imports enjoyed significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 282%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X cubic meters. From 2015 to 2019, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, railway sleeper imports totaled $X in 2019. Over the period under review, total imports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2019: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.7% over the last seven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, imports increased by +64.9% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 62% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2019 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2019, Poland (X cubic meters) constituted the largest supplier of railway sleeper to the Netherlands, accounting for a 57% share of total imports. Moreover, railway sleeper imports from Poland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Belgium (X cubic meters), twofold. Germany (X cubic meters) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 19% share.

From 2012 to 2019, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Poland totaled +68.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Belgium (+28.3% per year) and Germany (+12.0% per year).

In value terms, Belgium ($X) constituted the largest supplier of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood to the Netherlands, comprising 79% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Poland ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 5.7% share.

From 2012 to 2019, the average annual growth rate of value from Belgium amounted to +38.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (+66.3% per year) and Germany (-15.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2019, the average railway sleeper import price amounted to $X per cubic meter, waning by -4.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price faced a abrupt decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 40% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per cubic meter in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2019, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2019, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per cubic meter), while the price for Poland ($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 Belgium (+7.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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