Linseed oil-cake market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the linseed oil-cake market in Eastern Asia remained stable, with volumes fluctuating between 374.3 and 380.2 thousand tons. During this period, environmental regulations targeting carbon emission reduction and waste recycling in the petrochemical sector were implemented, influencing related industries. The market structure also became more concentrated as an oligopoly of four major oil refiners solidified, affecting competitive dynamics.

The market expanded significantly to 436.2 thousand tons in 2022 and surged to 537.5 thousand tons in 2023. This growth was primarily driven by increased global demand for oilseed by-products, exemplified by a sharp rise in used cooking oil exports from China, which reached about 2 million tons in 2023, alongside higher international vegetable oil prices. Competition among domestic refiners to secure export market share through capacity expansion in Asia and the Middle East further stimulated activity in the oil-processing sector.

By 2024, sustainability initiatives had intensified, with stronger policies supporting biofuels and sustainable aviation fuel, including a domestically developed SAF-powered flight in June. Consumer preferences shifted toward functional edible oils, and major companies adopted advanced packaging technologies to enhance product shelf life. These developments continued to shape the linseed oil-cake market, reflecting broader trends in the oil and fat industry.

Production linseed oil-cake in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of linseed oil-cake, 2017-2020

World map of production of linseed oil-cake, 2017-2020

Linseed oil-cake production in Eastern Asia declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 385.1 thousand tons, but by 2020 it had fallen to 380.5 thousand tons, representing a 1.2% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually increased by 8.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The most significant year-over-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 8.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Linseed oil-cake production in Eastern Asia grew for the third consecutive year in 2020. The output was valued at 187.3 million US dollars, showing a modest increase of 1.8% compared to 2019. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 20.6%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 6.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports linseed oil-cake from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes varied significantly, with the lowest point recorded in 2020 at 747 tons, representing a 26.7% decline from 2019. The peak occurred in 2018 at 5 930 tons, creating a 7.9-fold difference between these years. The most substantial decline happened in 2019, when exports fell by 82.8%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with growth of 105.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States and Canada were the exclusive destinations for linseed oil-cake exports from Eastern Asia, together accounting for 100.0% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Export values reached their highest point in 2018 at 2 740 thousand US dollars, then fell to their lowest in 2020 at 368 thousand US dollars, representing a 7.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports declined by 24.5% compared to the previous year. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019 with an 82.2% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with growth of 113.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Canada remained the dominant destinations for linseed oil-cake exports from Eastern Asia in value terms, jointly accounting for 100.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports linseed oil-cake to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Linseed oil-cake imports to Eastern Asia declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 14 tons. This represented a 44.2% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 76.2%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 38.0%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2018 at 59 tons. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 with a 58.6% decrease, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with growth of 3.0%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Canada (47.2% of import volume), Kazakhstan (16.4%), and the United States (10.7%) were the leading sources of linseed oil-cake imports to Eastern Asia, together accounting for 74.3% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Import values showed significant variation, with a 3-fold difference between the peak and trough from 2017 to 2019. In 2020, import value reached 44 thousand US dollars, representing an 87.3% increase compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 23 thousand US dollars. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018 with a 55.9% decrease.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Canada (54.4% of import value), Kazakhstan (11.9%), and the United States (7.1%) formed the core sources of linseed oil-cake imports to Eastern Asia in value terms, together accounting for 73.4% of total import value.

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

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