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Freight Rail Transport in China - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

麻豆社 麻豆社 Beijing, China Last Updated: November 2024 5120

Revenue

$76.3bn

2024

$76.3bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$X.Xbn

Employees

255k

Businesses

1

Wages

$X.Xbn

Freight Rail Transport in China industry analysis

The Freight Rail Transport industry is expected to generate $76.3 billion in 2024, up by 3.2% from 2023. Over the five years to 2024, industry revenue is expected to increase at a CAGR of 9.7%. In 2024, approximately 19 establishments operate in the industry, employing about 255,220 workers and paying total wages of $9.9 billion. In 2023, the freight transportation turnover by railway increased by 1.4%, to 3.6 trillion ton-kilometers, representing 14.7% of the total freight transportation turnover in China . Profit is expected to account for 7.5% of industry revenue in 2024.
The Chinese Government has invested heavily to expand the railway network. The Government spent over $100 billion annually on railway construction in the past decade to 2023. By the end of 2023, the length of China's railways in operation had reached 159,000 kilometers, among which the length of high-speed railways in operation has reached 45,000 kilometers, China's railway transportation capacity increased greatly.
In 2013, the railway freight transportation turnover only accounted for less than 2% of total social freight transportation turnover in China, and the proportion increased to 14.7% in 2023. With stable development of economy, railway transportation will give full play to its advantages in reducing social logistics costs. With the further market-oriented reform of railway freight transportation, railway transportation will make greater contribution to reducing social logistics costs.
Over the next five years to 2029, the Chinese Government will open the railway construction industry to more private and foreign investment. The only industry operator, China Railway, will also implement reforms to rail transport pricing. These reforms could significantly affect the industry, as freight transport pricing is currently market driven. ACMR-麻豆社 forecasts that industry revenue will increase at a CAGR of 4.5% to reach $94.9 billion in 2029.

Trends and Insights

  • Freight transport turnover by railway has been increasing. Freight rail transport is a traditional mode of transportation for freight in China, and the freight transportation turnover by railway totaled 3.6 trillion ton-kilometers in 2023.
  • Medium-distance transportation is the largest segment. Railway freight transportation is most competitive within medium-distance transportation. The medium-distances are often too long for road transportation and too short for water or air transportation.
  • North China is the largest market for railway freight transportation. The geographic distribution of the industry's businesses largely reflects the distribution of primary resources and raw materials, and North China is rich in coal, iron and steel resources.
  • This industry has very high concentration level. The railway system is monopolized by the Chinese Government, and there is only one player, China State Railway Group Co., Ltd., engaged in this industry.

Access hundreds of analysis and data

  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 9.7 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $76.3bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Railway is a traditional mode of freight transport

  • Freight rail transport is a traditional mode of transportation for freight, characterized by large volume, fast speed, and low cost. It is generally not limited by climatic conditions and is suitable for long-distance transportation of large and bulky goods.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Freight Rail Transport in China
Revenue (2014-2029)
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Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Biggest companies in the Freight Rail Transport in China

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.
76,298.4

To view the market share and analysis for all 1 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Freight Rail Transport in China
Products & Services
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Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Medium-distance transportation of freight , Long-distance transportation of freight and Short-distance transportation of freight . Medium-distance transportation of freight is the largest segment of the Freight Rail Transport in China.

Trends and Insights

Railway freight transportation is most competitive within medium-distance transportation

  • Medium-distance transportation includes freight transportation between 200 kilometers and 1,000 kilometers.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

The Freight Rail Transport industry in China operates railways for the transportation of freight across China. The industry comprises state-owned railways as well as local railways (invested and operated by local governments) for transferring freight or cargo. The management and operation of railway terminals and station facilities is not included in this industry.

What's included in this industry?

Short-distance transportation of freight Medium-distance transportation of freightLong-distance transportation of freight

Companies

China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.

Purchase this report to view all 1 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

ELECTRIFIED RAILWAYSDOUBLE-TRACK RAILWAYSROLLING STOCK

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Freight transport turnover by railway has been increasing. Freight rail transport is a traditional mode of transportation for freight in China, and the freight transportation...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Medium-distance transportation is the largest segment. Railway freight transportation is most competitive within medium-distance transportation. The medium-distances are ofte...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

North China is the largest market for railway freight transportation. The geographic distribution of the industry's businesses largely reflects the distribution of primary re...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

This industry has very high concentration level. The railway system is monopolized by the Chinese Government, and there is only one player, China State Railway Group Co., Ltd...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry鈥檚 level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry鈥檚 own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

China Railway is the only enterprise within this industry. China Railway is responsible for the unified dispatch and command of railway transportation, as well as overall arr...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for China State Railway Group Co., Ltd., and factors influencing its performance in the industry

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.聽 聽

Analyst insights

The industry is heavily regulated by the Government. Freight rail transport in China must comply with multiple laws and regulations to ensure safety, efficiency, and legality...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)聽
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)聽

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.聽

Analyst insights

Industry profit margins are not very high. The industry maintains higher profit margins compared with passenger rail transport, however, due to the weak operational capacity ...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability聽

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Freight Rail Transport industry in China in 2024?

The market size of the Freight Rail Transport industry in China is $76.3bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Freight Rail Transport in China industry in 2024?

There are 1 businesses in the Freight Rail Transport industry in China, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.0 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Freight Rail Transport industry in China grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Freight Rail Transport industry in China has been growing at a CAGR of 9.7 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Freight Rail Transport industry in China over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Freight Rail Transport industry in China is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Freight Rail Transport market in China?

The biggest company operating in the Freight Rail Transport market in China is China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.

What does the Freight Rail Transport in China include?

Short-distance transportation of freight and Medium-distance transportation of freight are part of the Freight Rail Transport industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Freight Rail Transport in China?

The company holding the most market share in China is China State Railway Group Co., Ltd..

How competitive is the Freight Rail Transport industry in China?

The level of competition is low and increasing in the Freight Rail Transport industry in China.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Freight Trucking in China
  • Freight Transport by Sea in China
  • International Express Service in China

Complementors

  • Railway Equipment Manufacturing in China
  • Passenger Rail Transport in China
  • Subway, Light Rail & Cable Car Transport in China

International industries

  • Shortline Railroad Operation in the US
  • Rail Transportation in Canada
  • Rail Freight Transport in Australia
  • Rail Transport in New Zealand
  • Freight Rail Transport in the UK

View all industries in China

Methodology

How are 麻豆社 reports created?

麻豆社 has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for 麻豆社 readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of 麻豆社鈥檚 editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

麻豆社 relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do 麻豆社 analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in China include:

  • National Bureau of Statistics China
  • General Administration of Customs
  • People鈥檚 Bank of China

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, 麻豆社鈥檚 global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does 麻豆社 forecast its data?

麻豆社鈥檚 analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

麻豆社 prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the .