Linseed market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The European linseed market volume expanded significantly from 854 K t in 2018 to 1 739 K t in 2022. During this period, production within Europe more than doubled, supporting the overall market growth. By 2022, the market landscape was characterized by increased fragmentation, with new product classifications and regional segmentations emerging across the continent.

A sharp reversal occurred in 2023, with the market volume contracting to 681 K t. This decline was primarily driven by a substantial increase in exports, which reached 1 258 K t. Underlying this shift were supply-side pressures, including reported production declines in key supplier countries Russia and Kazakhstan during 2023. This tightened global availability, likely increasing external demand for European linseed and redirecting supply away from the domestic market.

Available trade data for 2024 indicates continued high export levels at 946 K t and reduced imports of 507 K t. Market dynamics remained influenced by tight supply conditions, stringent quality requirements from European buyers, and the announced EU import tariff of 20% on Russian linseed scheduled for 2025, which affected trade expectations. Concurrently, long-term trends like growing consumer preference for plant-based foods and technological innovations in processing continued to shape the industry's structure.

Production linseed in Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of linseed, 2017-2020

World map of production of linseed, 2017-2020

Europe's linseed production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, European production reached 946.6 thousand tonnes, representing a 21.7% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 15.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 700.8 thousand tonnes, when output fell by 14.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports linseed from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Europe's linseed exports to foreign markets amounted to 359.0 thousand tonnes, a decrease of 21.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 5.2%, with an average annual drop of 1.8%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 345.8 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 458.6 thousand tonnes, marking a 32.6% increase that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Europe's linseed exports were distributed across a wide range of markets. China accounted for 16.7% of exports by volume, Turkey for 4.9%, and Vietnam for 2.4%. Together, these three countries made up just 24.0% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified market structure.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Europe in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Europe's linseed export value has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 474.0 million US dollars, up 6.0% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 18.4%, averaging 5.8% per year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 355.2 million US dollars, when it fell by 11.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 25.9% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, the country structure of Europe's linseed exports in value terms remained highly diversified. China represented 14.1% of export value, Turkey 3.4%, and Vietnam 1.7%. Combined, these three countries accounted for only 19.3% of total flows, while numerous smaller markets made up the remaining 80.7%.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Europe in value, 2017-2020

Imports linseed to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Europe's linseed import volume has risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 803.1 thousand tonnes, a sharp increase of 37.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import volume grew by 52.9%, with an average annual rate of 15.2%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 498.6 thousand tonnes, when it decreased by 5.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Throughout 2017-2020, Kazakhstan, Canada, and India were the leading sources for Europe's linseed imports by volume. Kazakhstan accounted for 33.1% of imports, Canada for 7.7%, and India for 0.8%. Together, these three countries represented 41.6% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Europe in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Europe's linseed import value has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to approximately 599.4 million US dollars, showing a substantial rise of 13.3% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 29.2%, averaging 8.9% per year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan, Canada, and India were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of Europe's linseed imports by value. Kazakhstan accounted for 28.5% of import value, Canada for 7.4%, and India for 1.8%. Combined, these three countries held a 37.7% share of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Europe in value, 2017-2020