Flax yarn market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The flax yarn market in Russia contracted from 3 565 t in 2018 to 2 616 t in 2020. This decline was driven by reduced demand in the light industry during 2019 and the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on consumption of flax fiber and yarn in 2020.

Market volume rebounded to 3 273 t in 2021 and reached a peak of 3 894 t in 2022. This growth was primarily fueled by the launch of new yarn production facilities in the Ivanovo region and the introduction of government subsidies for manufacturers of flax-containing yarn, approved in June 2022, which compensated producers for income losses.

After a decrease to 3 234 t in 2023, the market fell further to 2 915 t in 2024, as imports of yarn into Russia shrank by 5% and domestic flax yarn production dropped by 18.4%. During this period, the first full-cycle spinning mill using recycled raw materials commenced operations in Ivanovo. By 2025, production showed signs of recovery, increasing to 817 t, supported by ongoing state subsidies and investment in the sector.

Production flax yarn in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Russia's flax yarn production has grown for the second consecutive year. In 2021, production reached 947 tonnes, marking a 20.5% increase compared to 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 7.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 647 tonnes, representing a significant decline of 26.7% that year. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2020, with production surging by 21.4%.

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

Exports flax yarn from Russia

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Russia's flax yarn exports rebounded in 2021. Exports totaled 6 tonnes, showing a strong year-over-year increase of 11.2%. However, over the broader period from 2018 to 2021, exports fell sharply by 74.3%, averaging an annual decline of 36.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 6 tonnes, with the most significant drop occurring in 2019, when exports plummeted by 63.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Serbia, Belarus, and Poland remained the top buyers of Russian flax yarn in volume terms. Serbia accounted for 34.1% of exports, Belarus for 25.5%, and Poland for 22.1%. Together, these three countries represented 81.7% of Russia's total flax yarn exports by volume during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Russia's flax yarn export value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 21 000 US dollars, reflecting a substantial decrease of 17.4% compared to the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2018 to 2021, export value dropped by 76.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -38.1%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Belarus, Poland, and Serbia were the leading buyers of Russian flax yarn in value terms. Belarus accounted for 31.7% of export value, Poland for 17.4%, and Serbia for 16.8%. Collectively, these three markets made up 65.9% of Russia's total flax yarn export value during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports flax yarn to Russia

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decrease, Russia's flax yarn imports rose in 2021. Imports reached 2 332 tonnes, indicating a 27.0% gain compared to 2020. Despite this recent uptick, imports overall decreased by 13.3% from 2018 to 2021, with an average annual decline of 4.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 1 836 tonnes, which saw the largest drop of 21.0% that year.

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

Throughout the 2018–2021 period, Belarus dominated Russia's flax yarn imports in volume terms, consistently representing 91.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year contraction, Russia's flax yarn import value increased in 2021. Imports totaled 4 850 000 US dollars, showing a sharp rise of 29.4% from the previous year. However, over the broader period from 2018 to 2021, import value fell by 21.1%, averaging an annual decrease of 7.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 3 747 000 US dollars, which experienced the most significant decline of 35.3% that year.

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

In the 2018–2021 period, two markets—Belarus and China—played the leading roles in Russia's flax yarn imports by value. Together, they accounted for 98.3% of total import flows, with the remainder distributed among other destinations.

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

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