Wooden sleepers market in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the wooden sleeper market in Bosnia and Herzegovina saw activity in infrastructure projects such as the construction of the IX transversal in Sarajevo, which included railway tracks, potentially increasing demand for sleepers for new sections. Simultaneously, the company STRONG actively produced and sold beech sleepers across the country, indicating the presence of competitive local manufacturers. Sleeper imports rose from 5.3 thousand m³ in 2018 to 7.4 thousand m³ in 2019 before slightly declining in 2020, while exports significantly increased in 2019 to 12.6 thousand m³, showing active foreign trade.

In 2021 and 2022, the market faced regulatory challenges, as highlighted at the Sarajevo congress, which emphasized that policy does not recognize railways as a priority, leading to a decades-long lack of investment in infrastructure. This likely constrained domestic market growth. Market volume stood at 10.5 thousand m³ in 2021 and slightly decreased to 10.1 thousand m³ in 2022. However, trends in industrial maintenance focused on reducing downtime supported demand for quality sleepers to maintain the existing railway network.

A sharp 50% increase in market volume to 15.2 thousand m³ occurred in 2023, largely due to a significant rise in imports, which reached 13.1 thousand m³. This growth coincided with positive labor market trends in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which could have improved workforce availability for sleeper production and installation. In 2024, the market stabilized at 15.1 thousand m³, with continued high imports and exports growing to 11.1 thousand m³, indicating sustained demand and activity in the sector.

Production wooden sleepers in Bosnia and Herzegovina

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Annual dynamics of production in Bosnia and Herzegovina in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, m³

Annual dynamics of production in Bosnia and Herzegovina in kind, 2018-2021, m³

Exports wooden sleepers from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Exports in kind, m³

The market experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018, then peaked in 2019 with a volume that was twice as high. In 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina exported 10 489 m³ of wooden sleepers, representing an 11.8% increase compared to 2020. The maximum volume of 12 613 m³ was recorded in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2020, dropping by 25.6%, while the most significant increase was in 2019, surging by 96.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bosnia and Herzegovina in kind, 2018-2021, m³

From 2018 to 2021, Croatia and Serbia clearly dominated the export structure in kind, with other countries collectively making up the remaining share.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Bosnia and Herzegovina in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed signs of volatility over the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018, then reached their highest in 2019, with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina's wooden sleepers exports amounted to 7 180 K $ US, marking a solid uptick of 20.9% compared to 2020. The maximum value of 7 674 K $ US was recorded in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2020, falling by 22.6%, while the most significant increase was in 2019, rising by 82.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bosnia and Herzegovina in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Serbia and Croatia clearly dominated the export structure in value terms, with other countries together forming the remaining share.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Bosnia and Herzegovina in value, 2018-2021

Imports wooden sleepers to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Imports in kind, m³

In 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina imported 9 166 m³ of wooden sleepers, reflecting a steep increase of 43.2% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 73.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 20.2%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020, dropping by 13.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bosnia and Herzegovina in kind, 2018-2021, m³

From 2018 to 2021, Serbia and Belgium jointly accounted for 80.1% of total imports in kind of wooden sleepers to Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the rest of the volume distributed across smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Bosnia and Herzegovina in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign wooden sleepers supplies to Bosnia and Herzegovina declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina imported approximately 2 303 K $ US of wooden sleepers, amounting to a solid reduction of 12.3% over the past year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 3%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.0%. The maximum value of 3 335 K $ US was recorded in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2020, falling by 21.3%, while the most significant increase was in 2019, rising by 40.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bosnia and Herzegovina in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Serbia and Belgium were the core markets for imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 80.4% of total flows, whereas other destinations had comparatively modest shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Bosnia and Herzegovina in value, 2018-2021