Flax yarn market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, Lithuania's flax yarn market relied on imported flax fiber from France and Belgium, with traditional producers like Lietlinen, Siulas, and Linas Nordic forming its core. Market volume declined from 1 441 t in 2018 to 758 t by 2020, a drop exacerbated in 2020 by COVID-19 pandemic disruptions to supply chains.

A strong rebound followed, with volume reaching 1 538 t in 2022. This growth was propelled by rising consumer demand for sustainable textiles and the 2022 introduction of the European FlaxTM lifecycle assessment, which enhanced the industry's ecological credentials. EU environmental regulations, including REACH and GOTS certification requirements, further reinforced market value growth.

Market volume contracted sharply to 477 t in 2023 and edged down to 436 t in 2024. Over these two years, the market value showed relative stability, increasing slightly to 6.9 million USD in 2024, indicating a shift toward higher-value products within the market.

Production flax yarn in Lithuania

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, Lithuania's flax yarn output was valued at 20,789 thousand US dollars, marking a robust 18.4% increase compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 8.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 2.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 21,545 thousand US dollars, while the lowest was in 2020 at 17,563 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 18.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Following a two-year decline, Lithuania's flax yarn production volume rebounded in 2021. The country produced 2,137 tonnes of flax yarn, representing a 10.5% increase from the previous year. However, from 2018 to 2021, overall production decreased by 11.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 1,934 tonnes, and the largest decline also occurred in that year, with a 14.1% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports flax yarn from Lithuania

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Lithuania exported 2,093 tonnes of flax yarn, showing a moderate year-on-year increase of 5.4%. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 5.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.0%. The highest export volume was in 2019 at 2,300 tonnes, while the lowest was in 2020 at 1,987 tonnes. The most significant decline was recorded in 2020, with a 13.6% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Italy and France accounted for 92.3% of Lithuania's total flax yarn exports by volume. The remaining share was distributed among various other destinations, each contributing smaller amounts.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Lithuania's flax yarn exports totaled 20,533 thousand US dollars in 2021, reflecting a substantial 14.5% year-on-year increase. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 5.7%, with an annualized growth rate of 1.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 22,181 thousand US dollars, while the lowest was in 2020 at 17,940 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a 19.1% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Italy remained the leading buyer of Lithuanian flax yarn in value terms, accounting for 84.1% of total exports. The rest was spread across numerous other countries, each with smaller individual shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021

Imports flax yarn to Lithuania

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year contraction, Lithuania's flax yarn imports increased in 2021. Imports reached 1,198 tonnes, corresponding to a 47.8% rise compared to 2020. However, from 2018 to 2021, overall imports decreased by 3.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 811 tonnes, and the largest decline also occurred in that year, with a 23.4% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, China was the dominant source for Lithuania's flax yarn imports by volume, holding an 81.6% share of total flows. The remainder was fragmented across other markets.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year drop, Lithuania's flax yarn imports rebounded in 2021. The country imported a total of 11,155 thousand US dollars worth of flax yarn, indicating a steep 45.5% increase over the past year. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 7,665 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline also occurred in that year, with a 29.0% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Over the 2018-2021 period, China remained the dominant partner for Lithuania's flax yarn imports in value terms, accounting for 79.6% of total flows. Other markets formed a long tail with smaller contributions.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021