The rail freight transport in Spain has seen varying trends over the past decade. Starting from 9.37 billion tonne kilometers in 2013, the industry experienced a moderate growth trajectory until 2019, followed by a significant dip in 2020 due to external factors likely related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The market rebounded sharply by 14.61% in 2021, culminating in a 2023 value of 10.61 billion tonne kilometers which represents a marginal increase of 0.13% year-on-year. The compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) over the last five years stands at -0.34%.
Looking ahead, forecasts suggest a stable outlook with the market remaining nearly flat. The projected CAGR from 2024 to 2028 is a modest 0.12%, indicating a growth rate of approximately 0.61% by 2028.
Key future trends to watch for include:
- Impact of sustainability initiatives and green logistics.
- Technological advancements in rail infrastructure.
- Regulatory changes and their effect on rail freight operations.
- Potential shifts in trade patterns due to geopolitical changes.