Wooden sleepers market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German wooden sleeper market began the period with the entry of a new player when Vossloh AG acquired Austrak Pty Ltd., a leading concrete sleeper manufacturer, in March 2018, strengthening its position. The market volume stood at 42 457 m³ in 2019 but then contracted sharply to 27 454 m³ in 2020. This decline aligned with a record annual volume of damaged timber in German forests, reaching 60.1 million m³ due to drought and insect infestations, which constrained the supply of suitable wood for sleeper production. Concurrently, the increasing use of steel sleepers in Europe's rail industry, where Germany is a leader, exerted competitive pressure.

Market volume partially recovered to 34 955 m³ in 2021 before falling again to 27 722 m³ in 2022. This second drop coincided with the growing market for concrete sleepers, valued at USD 4.5 billion, and a broader industry shift toward sustainable materials and innovative manufacturing processes to meet environmental regulations, which reduced demand for traditional wooden sleepers.

A strong rebound followed in 2023, with market volume surging to 43 286 m³. This growth occurred despite a construction crisis and recession that pressured the timber sector, though strong demand for energy wood provided underlying support. In 2024, the timber harvest fell by 13.3%, with 44.7% still attributed to forest damage, continuing to influence raw material availability while industry demand focused more on sustainable and long-lasting composite and concrete sleeper types.

Production wooden sleepers in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Germany's wooden sleeper production was valued at 22 928 thousand US dollars, marking a moderate 8.3% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 14.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, m³

In 2020, Germany produced 31 989 cubic meters of wooden sleepers, representing a significant 12.1% decrease compared to the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production declined by 9.1%, with an average annual decrease of 3.1%.

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

Exports wooden sleepers from Germany

Exports in kind, m³

After two years of decline, Germany's exports of wooden sleepers rebounded in 2020. The country exported 28 998 cubic meters, a substantial 51.7% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 9.7%, with an average annual decline of 3.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 19 116 cubic meters, which also saw the largest drop of 28.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Austria were consistently the top destinations for Germany's wooden sleeper exports in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 23.6% of exports, France for 16.2%, and Austria for 14.1%, together making up 53.9% 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, K $ US

Following two years of decline, Germany's wooden sleeper exports in value terms recovered in 2020. Exports totaled 18 202 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 40.2% improvement compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 12 979 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 28.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands remained the primary markets for Germany's wooden sleeper exports in value terms. Austria represented 20.1% of exports, Switzerland 18.7%, and the Netherlands 17.1%, collectively accounting for 55.8% of total export value.

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

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

Imports wooden sleepers to Germany

Imports in kind, m³

Germany's imports of wooden sleepers declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 24 463 cubic meters, a slight 2.8% decrease from 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 33 942 cubic meters, which also saw the largest increase of 41.4%. In 2019, imports fell by 25.9%, marking the largest decline during this period.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Austria were the main sources of wooden sleeper imports to Germany in volume terms. France contributed 55.6% of imports, the Netherlands 12.3%, and Austria 8.4%, together representing 76.3% 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, K $ US

In 2020, Germany's wooden sleeper imports in value terms reached 13 939 thousand US dollars, an 11.6% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 23.7%, equating to an average annual rate of 7.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 15 720 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 39.5%. In 2019, imports dropped by 20.5%, the largest decline in this timeframe.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and the United States were the leading sources of wooden sleeper imports to Germany in value terms. France accounted for 56.7% of imports, the Netherlands for 14.0%, and the United States for 6.8%, together making up 77.6% of total import value.

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

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