Linseed oil and fractions market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for not chemically modified linseed oil and its fractions in the MENA region experienced significant volatility from 2018 to 2023. Starting at 12,048 t in 2018, consumption dropped sharply to 9,573 t the following year before recovering to 10,243 t in 2020. A further decline brought the market to its lowest point of 8,102 t in 2021.

A strong rebound occurred over the next two years, with volume rising to 9,984 t in 2022 and reaching 11,285 t in 2023. This recovery was supported by a surge in imports to 4,554 t in 2023, which helped compensate for a general downward trend in domestic production over the period.

Production linseed oil and fractions in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of linseed oil and fractions, 2017-2020

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

MENA's production of linseed oil and fractions has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 7 726 tonnes, marking a 5.3% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 23.3%, with an average annual decline of 8.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 11 219 tonnes, which saw an 11.4% increase that year. However, the largest drop occurred in 2019, with a significant 27.2% decrease.

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

Exports linseed oil and fractions from MENA

Exports in kind, t

The market showed considerable volatility during these years. Exports peaked in 2019 at 1 507 tonnes, then fell sharply to a low of 600 tonnes in 2020, representing a 2.5-fold difference between these two years. This 2020 volume was 60.2% lower than in 2019. The largest increase in exports was recorded in 2018, with an 84.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, India, and the United Kingdom emerged as the key markets for MENA's linseed oil and fractions exports in volume terms. The United States accounted for 11.5% of exports, India for 1.5%, and the United Kingdom for 1.2%. Together, these three countries represented 14.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was marked by volatility during this period. Exports in value terms reached their highest point in 2018 at 12 650 thousand US dollars, then dropped to their lowest in 2017, showing a 10.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign supplies from MENA totaled 7 186 thousand US dollars, down 11.0% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 36.1% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018, surging by 915.3%.

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

During 2017–2020, the United States and the United Kingdom were central to MENA's exports in value terms, together accounting for 10.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports linseed oil and fractions to MENA

Imports in kind, t

The data indicates irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Imports hit a low in 2018 at 2 241 tonnes and a high in 2017, with a 9.7-fold variation between these years. In 2020, MENA imported 3 117 tonnes of linseed oil and fractions, a moderate 6.8% increase from 2019. The largest decline was in 2018, falling by 89.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 30.2%.

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

Over 2017–2020, imports of linseed oil and fractions to MENA in volume terms relied on a diverse range of partner countries. Turkey led with 13.7% of imports, followed by Belgium at 7.4%, and Malaysia at 4.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for just 25.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Noticeable fluctuations characterized market performance during this period. Imports in value terms bottomed out in 2019 at 3 366 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2017, with a 12.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, MENA's import volume totaled 4 731 thousand US dollars, representing a 40.5% increase from the year before. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, dropping by 90.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for imports in value terms was broad. Turkey accounted for 8.2% of imports, Belgium for 7.1%, and the Netherlands for 2.7%. Together, these three countries formed only 17.9% of total flows, with the remaining 82.1% coming from many other countries.

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

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