Iron or steel railway or tramway track constructions market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 reduced rail freight transport, temporarily dampening infrastructure demand. Recovery followed in 2021, with the market volume reaching 510 thousand tons, supported by rebounding rail traffic.

By 2022, the physical market volume had declined to 458 thousand tons, while its value increased to $357.6 million, reflecting changes in prices or product composition.

In 2024, the market expanded to 502.9 thousand tons, fueled by growing rail passenger transport—whose modal share in Germany rose to 11.9%—and the adoption of advanced materials like continuously welded rails and head-hardened rails, which improve longevity and lower maintenance needs.

Exports iron or steel railway or tramway track constructions from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's exports of iron or steel railway or tramway track constructions declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, export volumes reached 81.3 K t, marking a 1.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 4.1%, which translates to an average annual increase of 1.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 82.5 K t, with the largest year-on-year growth of 5.7% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports of iron or steel railway or tramway track constructions were not heavily concentrated in a few key markets. Denmark accounted for 18.1% of exports, Switzerland for 12.8%, and Poland for 9.0%. Together, these three countries represented only 39.9% 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, M $ US

After two years of growth, Germany's exports of iron or steel railway or tramway track constructions in value terms declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 186.8 M $ US, a 6.6% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 3.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 199.9 M $ US, while the largest year-on-year increase of 9.1% occurred in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's exports of iron or steel railway or tramway track constructions in value terms were not highly concentrated. The Netherlands accounted for 11.2% of exports, Italy for 10.1%, and Switzerland for 9.5%. Combined, these three markets made up only 30.7% 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 iron or steel railway or tramway track constructions to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Germany's imports of iron or steel railway or tramway track constructions in volume terms stood at 351.2 K t, reflecting a 9.6% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 6.2%, averaging an annual rise of 2.0%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 320.5 K t, with the largest decline of 15.9% occurring that year. The highest volume was in 2018 at 381.1 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 15.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Poland, and Czechia dominated Germany's imports of iron or steel railway or tramway track constructions in volume terms. Austria accounted for 36.9% of imports, Poland for 34.5%, and Czechia for 15.4%. Together, these three countries represented 86.8% of total 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, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's imports of iron or steel railway or tramway track constructions in value terms amounted to 303.6 M $ US, showing a 10.4% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 6%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 274.9 M $ US, when imports fell by 17.8%. The highest value was in 2018 at 334.6 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 16.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Austria, Poland, and Czechia were the top sources for Germany's imports of iron or steel railway or tramway track constructions in value terms. Together, these three markets accounted for 79.2% of total import flows.

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

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