Linseed market in Australia and New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the linseed market volume in Australia and New Zealand expanded significantly from 9.8 thousand tons to 14.2 thousand tons. This growth was underpinned by high domestic linseed production, which boosted raw material availability for local oil processing. Concurrently, rising consumer awareness of linseed oil's nutritional benefits and its increasing use in industrial applications like paints and varnishes, driven by construction sector activity, fueled demand. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further amplified interest in health-oriented products, supporting market growth despite global supply chain pressures.

In 2021, the market volume contracted sharply to approximately 9.1 thousand tons. While sources indicated sustained demand from food, cosmetic, and industrial sectors, alongside investments in supply chain traceability, the specific drivers behind this decline are not detailed in the available factors for the year.

By 2022 and 2023, the market volume stabilized around 9 thousand tons. Persistent demand for organic and natural linseed oil products continued, but global factors such as international seed price fluctuations and post-pandemic logistics disruptions affected availability and costs, contributing to a higher market value in 2022 even as physical volume slightly eased.

Production linseed in Australia and New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of linseed, 2018-2021

World map of production of linseed, 2018-2021

In 2021, Australia and New Zealand produced 8 352 tonnes of linseed, showing virtually no change from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 11%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 8 322 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 11.3%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the largest increase of 0.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Australia and New Zealand's linseed production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 13 185 thousand US dollars, marking a modest rise of 6.2% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production value grew by 25.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 7.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 9 624 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 8.3%. Meanwhile, 2020 experienced the largest increase of 29.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports linseed from Australia and New Zealand

Exports in kind, t

Exported linseed volumes from Australia and New Zealand increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports reached 810 tonnes, up 8.7% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 596 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 32.3%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the largest increase of 25.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, France, Japan, and the United Kingdom were the leading destinations for linseed exports from Australia and New Zealand in volume terms. France accounted for 47.7% of exports, Japan for 9.9%, and the United Kingdom for 3.8%. Together, these three countries represented 61.5% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Australia and New Zealand's linseed export value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, export value was recorded at 1 279 thousand US dollars, showing a gain of 15.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 29.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 689 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 30.0%. Meanwhile, 2020 experienced the largest increase of 60.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, France, Japan, and Thailand were the principal buyers of linseed from Australia and New Zealand in value terms. France accounted for 48.4% of exports, Japan for 9.3%, and Thailand for 3.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 61.0% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021

Imports linseed to Australia and New Zealand

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of linseed into Australia and New Zealand showed significant volatility during this period. In 2021, imports totaled 1 530 tonnes, representing a sharp decline of 76.8% from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 6 587 tonnes, while the lowest was in 2018. From 2018 to 2020, imports increased by 5.2 times, with the largest rise of 207.0% occurring in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Canada, Russia, and the United States were consistently the main sources of linseed imports into Australia and New Zealand in volume terms. Canada accounted for 59.6% of imports, Russia for 13.1%, and the United States for 9.8%. Together, these three countries represented 82.6% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values of linseed into Australia and New Zealand exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. In 2021, imports were valued at 1 588 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp contraction of 70.8% from 2020. The highest import value was recorded in 2020 at 5 446 thousand US dollars, while the lowest was in 2018. From 2018 to 2020, import value increased by 4.2 times, with the largest rise of 153.1% occurring in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Canada, Russia, and China played the leading roles in linseed imports into Australia and New Zealand in value terms. Canada accounted for 53.6% of imports, Russia for 10.8%, and China for 9.8%. Collectively, these three countries represented 74.2% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021