Linseed market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The linseed market in Switzerland peaked at 9 672 t in 2019 before entering a sustained downward trend, contracting to 6 883 t by 2023. This decline was driven primarily by a sharp reduction in imports, which fell from 9 364 t in 2019 to 6 655 t in 2023, while domestic production fluctuated between 287 t and 480 t without offsetting the import drop.

In 2024, linseed imports rose to 7 107 t and exports reached 116 t. During this year, the Swiss organic market remained stable with a turnover of CHF 4.1 billion, where plant-based products play a significant role. The IP-SUISSE initiative promoting the cultivation of protein plants and sustainable raw materials may influence the linseed sector, although no specific regulatory changes or new major market entrants were reported.

Production linseed in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of linseed, 2017-2020

World map of production of linseed, 2017-2020

Switzerland's linseed production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 287.0 t of linseed, which represents a significant drop of 14.3% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 29%, translating to an average annual decline of 10.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Switzerland in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports linseed from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend over the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Switzerland exported 21 t of linseed, down by 23.5% year-over-year. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 43 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 35.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 88.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the dominant market for Switzerland's linseed exports in kind, accounting for 81.9% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values hit their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a 3.5-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Switzerland's foreign linseed supplies amounted to 52 K $ US, showing a sharp reduction of 39.3% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 184 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 53.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 153.7%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Germany held the dominant position in Switzerland's linseed exports in value terms, accounting for 70.0% of total flows. The remaining share was split among various smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports linseed to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year increase, Switzerland's imported linseed volumes declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 8 737 t, marking a moderate fall of 6.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 5.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.8%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 9 364 t, with the largest increase occurring that same year at 12.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (29.3% of imports in kind), Belgium (26.5% of imports in kind), and Kazakhstan (16.6% of imports in kind) were the principal suppliers of linseed to Switzerland. Together, they accounted for 72.5% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Switzerland's linseed imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 6 348 K $ US, marking a limited increase of 7.9% from a year earlier. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 10.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 5 570 K $ US, with the largest decline occurring that year at 3.0%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Germany (26.4% of imports in value terms), Belgium (20.1% of imports in value terms), and Kazakhstan (13.3% of imports in value terms) were the main suppliers of linseed to Switzerland. Together, they comprised 59.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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