Impregnated sleepers market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market for impregnated wooden railway sleepers in Germany, measured in value terms, exhibited significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 8.1 million USD in 2018, the market size contracted to 7.6 million USD the following year before initiating a growth phase.

This expansion accelerated sharply, with the market growing by 19% to 9.1 million USD in 2020 and then surging by 50% to 13.7 million USD in 2021. This upward trajectory was interrupted in 2022 by a 28% decline to 9.9 million USD, but was decisively reversed in 2023 with a 59% rebound to a new period high of 15.7 million USD.

Domestic production and international trade flows showed corresponding volatility, with production falling in 2019 and imports and exports varying year-on-year, collectively shaping the net market volume over these years.

Production impregnated sleepers in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In Germany, the output value of impregnated sleepers reached 18 556 thousand US dollars in 2020, showing a significant increase of 33.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 13 936 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 20.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, m³

After two consecutive years of decline, Germany's production volume of impregnated sleepers rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 24 168 cubic meters, marking a 23.9% increase from the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 10.2%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 3.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 19 513 cubic meters, which also experienced the largest drop of 23.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, m³

Exports impregnated sleepers from Germany

Exports in kind, m³

Following a two-year decline, Germany's exports of impregnated sleepers saw a recovery. In 2020, exports totaled 25 825 cubic meters, representing a substantial increase of 43.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 7.5%, with an average annual decline of 2.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 18 038 cubic meters, which also saw the largest decline of 25.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, m³

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Austria were the leading destinations for Germany's exports of impregnated sleepers in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 24.0% of exports, France for 17.1%, and Austria for 15.6%, together making up 56.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of Germany's impregnated sleepers exports was recorded at 17 171 thousand US dollars, indicating a sharp increase of 39.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 10.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 12 299 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 25.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands were the primary markets for Germany's impregnated sleepers exports in value terms. Austria accounted for 22.1% of exports, Switzerland for 20.2%, and the Netherlands for 17.5%, collectively representing 59.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports impregnated sleepers to Germany

Imports in kind, m³

In 2020, Germany's imports of impregnated sleepers reached 10 111 cubic meters, an 18.3% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 10.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 8 544 cubic meters, which also saw the largest decline of 25.6%. In contrast, the highest volume was in 2018 at 11 483 cubic meters, marking the largest increase of 25.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, m³

From 2017 to 2020, France and the Netherlands dominated Germany's imports of impregnated sleepers in volume terms, together accounting for 81.8% of total imports. Other countries contributed to a more diversified but smaller share of the import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Germany's imports of impregnated sleepers amounted to 7 752 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 29.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 58.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 15.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 44.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, France and the Netherlands remained the main sources for Germany's imports of impregnated sleepers in value terms, jointly accounting for 81.8% of total import flows. Other trading partners made up the remainder of the imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020