Turkey: Railway Sleeper Market 2025

Railway Sleeper Market Size in Turkey

In 2021, the Turkish railway sleeper market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption saw a slight shrinkage. Railway sleeper consumption peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Railway Sleeper Production in Turkey

In value terms, railway sleeper production rose to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a pronounced slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 16%. Railway sleeper production peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Railway Sleeper Exports

Exports from Turkey

In 2021, shipments abroad of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood increased by 65% to X cubic meters, rising for the second consecutive year after four years of decline. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a dramatic contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 201%. The exports peaked at X cubic meters in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, railway sleeper exports expanded sharply to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a sharp contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 236% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates (X cubic meters) and Oman (X cubic meters) were the main destinations of railway sleeper exports from Turkey.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of -12.3%).

In value terms, the largest markets for railway sleeper exported from Turkey were the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Oman ($X).

In terms of the main countries of destination, the United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of -28.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average railway sleeper export price amounted to $X per cubic meter, falling by -31.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a deep slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the average export price increased by 22%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per cubic meter in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major overseas markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Oman ($X per cubic meter), while the average price for exports to the United Arab Emirates stood at $X per cubic meter.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Oman (-15.0%).

Railway Sleeper Imports

Imports into Turkey

In 2021, purchases abroad of railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood decreased by -18.3% to X cubic meters, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, imports saw a sharp contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 1,978% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X cubic meters in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, railway sleeper imports expanded markedly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a sharp shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 930% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Romania (X cubic meters) constituted the largest railway sleeper supplier to Turkey, accounting for a 77% share of total imports. Moreover, railway sleeper imports from Romania exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Bulgaria (X cubic meters), sevenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by France (X cubic meters), with a 7.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Romania totaled -21.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Bulgaria (+9.9% per year) and France (-4.0% per year).

In value terms, Romania ($X), Austria ($X) and France ($X) appeared to be the largest railway sleeper suppliers to Turkey, together comprising 84% of total imports. These countries were followed by Bulgaria and China, which together accounted for a further 16%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Bulgaria, with a CAGR of +2.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Import Prices by Country

The average railway sleeper import price stood at $X per cubic meter in 2021, increasing by 32% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, faced a abrupt setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the average import price increased by 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per cubic meter in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Austria ($X per cubic meter), while the price for Romania ($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 Austria (+11.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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