MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES

2017

2018

RMB’000

Raw materials

185,639

160,048

Reusable rail-line track materials

76,017

75,415

Accessories

67,493

59,261

Retailing consumables

1,578

1,493

330,727

296,217

The costs of materials and supplies consumed by the Group during the year were recognised as "operating expenses" in the amount of RMB1,658,327,000 (2017: RMB1,627,992,000).

As at 31 December 2018, the balance of the provision for writing down the materials and supplies to their net realisable values was approximately RMB37,820,000 (2017: RMB28,466,000). During the year, additional provision of RMB19,128,000 was made, RMB7,767,000 was reversed and RMB2,007,000 was written off arising from realization of losses in the disposal of these assets (2017: RMB7,844,000, nil and RMB3,354,000).