The national railway freight traffic of timber in China has fluctuated over the past decade. From 2013 to 2023, actual values showed a general declining trend, despite notable year-on-year increases in 2016 and 2022. The volume in 2023 levelled at 1.91, with a moderate year-on-year increase of 3.37%. The five-year CAGR leading to 2023 was -2.63%, suggesting a gradual annual decline.
Forecasts indicate a continued downward trend in the coming years, with values expected to decrease to 1.71 by 2028. The forecasted five-year CAGR from 2024 is -1.76%, projecting a total decline of 8.48% over the period.
Future trends to watch for include shifts in the construction industry, environmental policies impacting logging activities, and potential improvements in alternate transportation logistics that may affect railway freight volumes.
