Linseed oil and fractions market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for linseed oil and its fractions in Southern Europe experienced significant volatility between 2018 and 2023. The market volume peaked at 29 160 t in 2018, then contracted sharply to 21 731 t the following year. A partial recovery to 27 545 t occurred in 2020, but this was followed by a steep decline to 17 999 t in 2021. The market stabilized near 17 875 t in 2022 before contracting again to 14 268 t in 2023.

Despite the overall volume decline in 2023, the organic linseed oil segment showed growth driven by rising consumer demand for pesticide-free and non-GMO products, alongside increased awareness of the health benefits from omega-3 fatty acids. This shift in preference supported product development in food, cosmetics, and dietary supplements. Major market player Archer Daniels Midland contributed to supply expansion and innovation by launching refined and non-genetically modified products.

By 2024, broader market trends included a move towards sustainable packaging aligned with eco-conscious consumers and geographic expansion into Asian markets, which influenced regional demand and distribution in Southern Europe. Regulatory frameworks emphasizing organic quality, traceability, and labeling standards continued to shape production and marketing practices, with cold-press extraction remaining a key quality standard.

Production linseed oil and fractions in Southern Europe

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

In Southern Europe, linseed oil and fractions production reached 15 616 tonnes in 2020, marking a moderate increase of 9.5% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 29.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 16 570 tonnes, which represented a significant 37.0% increase from the prior year. However, in 2019, production experienced its largest decline of 14.0%.

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

Exports linseed oil and fractions from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of linseed oil and fractions from Southern Europe showed irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. In 2020, exports stood at 2 685 tonnes, down by 57.9% from the previous year. The lowest point was recorded in 2020, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 6 382 tonnes, representing a 107.6% increase from the year before. Overall, exports swung by a factor of 2.4 between these years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Southern Europe's export portfolio for linseed oil and fractions in kind was quite broad. The top three destinations—the United States with 18.5% of exports, Austria with 12.6%, and South Korea with 2.7%—collectively accounted for only 33.8% of total flows, indicating a diversified market.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Southern Europe exported linseed oil and fractions worth 9 234 thousand US dollars, a decline of 30.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 29.1%, with an average annual decline of 10.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 13 316 thousand US dollars, which saw a 19.3% increase from the previous year.

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

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 can be described as diversified. The United States accounted for 21.3% of exports, Germany for 6.6%, and Austria for 5.3%, together making up just 33.2% of total flows. No single country held a clearly dominant position in the market.

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

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

Imports linseed oil and fractions to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, imports of linseed oil and fractions into Southern Europe increased in 2020. The import volume totalled 14 614 tonnes, up by 5.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9.3%, with an average annual decline of 3.2%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 13 855 tonnes, which represented an 11.5% drop from the year before.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands stood out as the main sources for imports of linseed oil and fractions in kind into Southern Europe. Belgium accounted for 35.0% of imports, Germany for 17.1%, and the Netherlands for 11.7%, together representing 63.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Southern Europe's imports of linseed oil and fractions in value terms totalled 23 756 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 27.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 22.3%, equating to an average annual rate of 6.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 18 607 thousand US dollars, which saw a decline of 7.9% from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany continued to lead as the top suppliers of linseed oil and fractions to Southern Europe in value terms. Belgium accounted for 28.1% of imports, the Netherlands for 17.0%, and Germany for 15.7%, jointly taking 60.9% of total imports.

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

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