United Kingdom: Railway Sleeper Market 2024

Railway Sleeper Market Size in the UK

For the sixth consecutive year, the UK railway sleeper market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 9.8% to $X in 2021. Overall, consumption showed a significant expansion. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Railway Sleeper Production in the UK

In value terms, railway sleeper production declined to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, enjoyed a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the production volume increased by 66% against the previous year. Railway sleeper production peaked at $X in 2020, and then fell in the following year.

Railway Sleeper Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2021, the amount of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood exported from the UK skyrocketed to X cubic meters, with an increase of 22% compared with 2020 figures. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a dramatic slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 45%. The exports peaked at X cubic meters in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, railway sleeper exports totaled $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, faced a sharp decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 37%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Spain (X cubic meters) was the main destination for railway sleeper exports from the UK, with a approx. 100% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Spain totaled +3.2%.

In value terms, the largest markets for railway sleeper exported from the UK were Norway ($X), Israel ($X) and Spain ($X), together accounting for 42% of total exports.

Spain, with a CAGR of -8.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Export Prices by Country

The average railway sleeper export price stood at $X per cubic meter in 2021, with a decrease of -16.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price faced a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average export price increased by 107%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per cubic meter. From 2014 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Norway ($X per cubic meter), while the average price for exports to Spain ($X per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Sierra Leone (+2,198.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Railway Sleeper Imports

Imports into the UK

For the sixth year in a row, the UK recorded growth in supplies from abroad of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood, which increased by 15% to X cubic meters in 2021. In general, imports saw a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 367%. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

In value terms, railway sleeper imports rose modestly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports showed strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 226% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Poland (X cubic meters), Latvia (X cubic meters) and France (X cubic meters) were the main suppliers of railway sleeper imports to the UK, together comprising 76% of total imports. Nigeria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Romania and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 22%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Estonia (with a CAGR of +138.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Romania ($X), France ($X) and Latvia ($X) appeared to be the largest railway sleeper suppliers to the UK, with a combined 60% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Poland, Bulgaria, Estonia, Nigeria and the Netherlands, which together accounted for a further 20%.

Bulgaria, with a CAGR of +38.8%, 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 more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average railway sleeper import price amounted to $X per cubic meter, which is down by -10% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a sharp setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 a decrease of -8.5%. The import price peaked at $X per cubic meter in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Romania ($X per cubic meter), while the price for Nigeria ($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 Romania (-1.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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