Linseed oil-cake market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian linseed oil-cake market showed significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After a drop to 43 813 t in 2019, market volume rebounded to 53 960 t in 2020 and surged to a peak of 72 016 t in 2021, driven largely by a sharp increase in imports which reached 48 425 t that year.

Following the 2021 high, the market contracted rapidly to 41 594 t in 2022 and further to 38 174 t in 2023. This decline coincided with falling domestic production, which decreased from 27 500 t in 2018 to 20 200 t in 2023, and a substantial reduction in import volumes after 2021.

In 2024, import volumes remained notable at 19 628 t against minimal exports. During this year, stricter Italian and European regulations on used oil management and disposal, along with rising demand for cold-pressed organic linseed oil, began to influence the sector's approach to solid extraction residues.

Production linseed oil-cake in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Globally, Italy ranked as the 13th largest producer of linseed oil-cake from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of linseed oil-cake, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Italy produced 25 600 tonnes of linseed oil-cake, marking a 15.8% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 33.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 10.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 27 500 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 19.6%. The most significant increase was also in 2018, with a rise of 43.2%.

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

Exports linseed oil-cake from Italy

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 294 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 509 tonnes, showing a 1.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Italy's cross-border shipments of linseed oil-cake totaled 454 tonnes, representing a 10.9% decrease year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 34.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a jump of 73.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria were the largest buyers of linseed oil-cake from Italy, accounting for 59.1%, 14.9%, and 11.7% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 85.6% of Italy's total exports in kind.

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

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 191 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 468 thousand US dollars, resulting in a 2.4-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Italy exported 430 thousand US dollars worth of linseed oil-cake, reflecting a modest decline of 8.2% compared to the previous year. The largest decrease occurred in 2018 at 37.4%, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a surge of 145.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany and the Netherlands dominated as the primary buyers of linseed oil-cake from Italy in value terms, together accounting for 80.3% of total exports. Other destinations each held relatively small shares.

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-cake to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's imports of linseed oil-cake increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 28 814 tonnes, showing a sharp rise of 29.7% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 49%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan, Germany, and Ukraine were the main suppliers of linseed oil-cake to Italy, representing 34.0%, 13.3%, and 12.9% of imports in kind, respectively. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 60.2% of Italy's total imports in kind.

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

Italy's imports of linseed oil-cake in value terms increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 10 885 thousand US dollars, indicating a rise of 42.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 63.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 17.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan, Germany, and Russia remained the key sources for Italy's imports of linseed oil-cake in value terms, accounting for 31.1%, 14.0%, and 13.6% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 58.7% 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