Iron or steel railway or tramway track constructions market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2024, Austria's trade in iron or steel railway track constructions was characterized by strong exports, which peaked at 537.9 thousand tons in 2022 before settling at 508.0 thousand tons in 2024. Import volumes remained modest, fluctuating between 19.8 and 26.6 thousand tons. Available production data from 2021 onward shows a steady rise from 655.5 thousand tons to 677.3 thousand tons in 2024, while the domestic market size in volume terms grew from 171.9 thousand tons to 196.0 thousand tons over the same period. In value, the market expanded significantly from $364 million to $476 million.

The marked growth in production and market size during 2024 was primarily driven by a major commitment to rail infrastructure. The Austrian government launched an investment program totaling €21.15 billion for the period from 2024 to 2029, dedicated to network expansion, accessibility, and regional lines, which created immediate demand for track construction materials. This public spending push was complemented by a legislative update: the revision of the Austrian Railway Act (EisbG) in July 2024, which simplified approval procedures and lowered market entry barriers, facilitating new rail projects and upgrades.

Further supporting the market, several specific rail projects contributed to demand. The first section of the Koralmbahn was inaugurated in December 2023, and the planned reactivation of the Pinzgaubahn by summer 2024 added to the pipeline of infrastructure work. Concurrently, passenger rail traffic in Austria reached record levels, increasing the need for track maintenance and capacity enhancements, which sustained consumption of track constructions.

Exports iron or steel railway or tramway track constructions from Austria

Exports in kind, K t

In 2019, Austria's cross-border shipments of iron or steel railway or tramway track constructions reached their lowest point at 481.4 thousand tons. The following year, in 2020, exports were broadly stable at 483.7 thousand tons. The peak was recorded earlier in 2018 at 514.2 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 6.4% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 4.7% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Austria's exports in kind of iron or steel railway or tramway track constructions showed a highly diversified country structure. Germany accounted for 26.4% of exports in kind, France for 7.5%, and Italy for 6.9%, together making up only 40.8% of total flows. The remaining 59.2% was distributed among a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, iron or steel railway or tramway track constructions shipments from Austria to abroad totaled 477.8 million US dollars, marking a slight rise of 1.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 500.2 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 5.5% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 12.0% rise.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Austria's exports in value terms of iron or steel railway or tramway track constructions were not concentrated on a few key markets. Germany accounted for 23.4% of exports in value terms, Switzerland for 9.9%, and France for 7.1%, jointly making up only 40.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports iron or steel railway or tramway track constructions to Austria

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year rise, Austria's imports of iron or steel railway or tramway track constructions declined. In 2020, Austria imported 22.8 thousand tons, indicating a modest fall of 8.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 20.8%, equating to a 6.5% annualized rate. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 24.9 thousand tons, with the largest increase that year at 25.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and France concentrated 86.4% of Austria's total imports in kind of iron or steel railway or tramway track constructions, while the remaining share was distributed among other destinations with smaller individual contributions.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year rise, foreign supplies of iron or steel railway or tramway track constructions to Austria declined. In 2020, imports stood at 30.9 million US dollars, amounting to a robust decline of 15.6% versus the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 24.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 36.6 million US dollars, with the largest increase in 2018 at 24.5%.

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

In 2017 to 2020, Germany and France dominated Austria's imports in value terms of iron or steel railway or tramway track constructions, accounting together for 82.1% of total flows, with other destinations having smaller individual contributions.

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

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