Linseed oil and fractions market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian market for linseed oil and fractions began the period with a volume of 17 000 t in 2018, supported by growing consumer recognition of its nutritional value as a primary plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids. The market contracted to 14 663 t in 2019 before rebounding significantly to a peak of 17 279 t in 2020.

Following the 2020 peak, the market volume declined to 14 817 t in 2021 and fell further to 11 022 t in 2022. In December 2021, Cargill Inc.'s acquisition of a significant portion of industrial chemicals and performance technology assets marked a notable corporate event with potential implications for the European supply chain. By 2023, the market volume stabilized at 10 351 t, a year which saw Liberon expanding its European production capacity and Klean-Strip launching a new low-VOC modified linseed oil line, indicating industry focus on innovation and sustainable product development.

Moving into 2024, the broader European market context was characterized by a 10.8% year-on-year decrease in average import prices for linseed oil. Italian consumer preferences continued shifting toward natural and bio-based products, particularly in food and cosmetics. Concurrently, strategic industry developments included ADM's partnership to develop bio-based binders using polymerized linseed oil and Sunnyside Corporation's R&D investments aimed at improving drying times, underscoring the ongoing evolution toward specialized and sustainable applications.

Production linseed oil and fractions in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy ranked as the 13th largest global producer of linseed oil and fractions.

Top producers of linseed oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of linseed oil and fractions, 2017-2020

In 2020, Italy produced 12 800 tonnes of linseed oil and fractions, marking a 16.4% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 33.3%, averaging an annualized rate of 10.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 13 700 tonnes, which represented a 42.7% increase from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline of 19.7%.

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

Exports linseed oil and fractions from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy's exports of linseed oil and fractions declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 1 307 tonnes, a 6.5% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 15.6%, with an annualized decline of 5.5%. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 1 573 tonnes, which was a 1.6% increase from the previous year. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with an 11.1% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Spain, and Japan remained the primary buyers of linseed oil and fractions from Italy, accounting for 52.4%, 11.5%, and 6.0% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 69.9% of Italy's total exports in kind during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Italy's cross-border shipments of linseed oil and fractions in value terms rebounded in 2020, reaching 3 867 thousand US dollars, a sharp 25.9% increase from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 072 thousand US dollars, which marked a 17.0% decrease from the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy's export structure in value terms was highly diversified. Austria, Japan, and Spain accounted for 17.1%, 13.1%, and 11.7% of exports in value, respectively, totaling 41.9% of the overall flows. The remaining 58.1% was distributed among a wide range of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports linseed oil and fractions to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's imports of linseed oil and fractions increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, with a volume of 5 787 tonnes, up 14.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 7.1%, averaging an annualized growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 4 871 tonnes, which represented a 9.9% decline from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium and Germany dominated Italy's imports of linseed oil and fractions in kind, together accounting for 88.0% of the total volume. The remaining imports were spread across various other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. Import volumes in value terms reached their lowest point in 2018 at 5 331 thousand US dollars, a 12.7% decrease from the previous year, and peaked in 2020 at 12 563 thousand US dollars, a 110.4% surge from 2019. The difference between the peak and low was 2.4 times.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands consistently served as the main sources for Italy's imports in value terms, accounting for 42.1%, 19.2%, and 16.5% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 77.8% of total import flows.

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

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