Linseed market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The U.S. linseed market volume fluctuated significantly between 2018 and 2023. After a stable period around 256 thousand tons in 2019, it declined to 224 thousand tons in 2020 and further contracted to 176 thousand tons in 2021. A sharp rebound followed in 2022, with the market reaching 292 thousand tons.

In 2023, the market volume fell to 195 thousand tons. This decrease was primarily driven by supply constraints, including delayed harvesting seasons and a 7% reduction in U.S. planting area, which limited linseed availability for processing. Global supply was further tightened by a major production decline in Kazakhstan, affecting prices and availability through international trade channels.

For 2024, linseed imports into the United States were 118 thousand tons, while exports amounted to 8.9 thousand tons. Underlying consumer demand for natural and organic products provided steady support for the market, even as exports have trended downward for several years, with trade flows concentrated toward North American partners.

Production linseed in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, the United States ranked as the 6th largest producer of linseed from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of linseed, 2017-2020

World map of production of linseed, 2017-2020

Linseed production in the United States grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 144.9 thousand tons of linseed, a 1.4% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 48.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 14.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports linseed from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

Market performance showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 7.7 thousand tons and peaked in 2020 at 31.1 thousand tons, representing a 4.1-fold difference. In 2020, the United States exported 31.1 thousand tons of linseed, a sharp increase of 116.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 66.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada and China were the primary buyers of linseed from the United States, together accounting for 80.8% of total exports by volume. Other partners played a smaller role in the export market.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Linseed exports from the United States increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 18 255 thousand US dollars, a sharp gain of 68.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 15.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 8 696 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred that same year, with a decrease of 44.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada, China, and Mexico were the main destinations for linseed exports from the United States in value terms. Canada accounted for 63.3% of exports, China for 10.2%, and Mexico for 9.9%, together making up 83.4% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports linseed to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

Imported linseed volumes in the United States declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 110.0 thousand tons, a solid decrease of 13.9% from the prior year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 146.9 thousand tons, with the largest increase that year of 36.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, linseed imports to the United States were almost exclusively supplied by Canada, which absorbed 93.2% of total imports by volume.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Imported linseed volumes in the United States fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 76 817 thousand US dollars, marking a modest drop of 5.7% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 7.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 88 643 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 8.1% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 24.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Canada dominated linseed imports to the United States in value terms, accounting for 88.2% of the total. The remaining volume was distributed among many countries, each with smaller individual shares.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020