Raw or retted, not spun flax market in Americas

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market volume for raw or retted flax in the Americas gradually contracted, falling from 4 997 t to 4 583 t. This decline was primarily due to rising export volumes, which peaked at over 1 100 t in 2021, drawing supply away from the domestic market. Production remained stable around 5 670 t annually, while imports were minimal, so the increasing outflows directly reduced local availability.

A reversal began in 2022, with market volume jumping 11.6% to 5 113 t, followed by a further 5.8% rise to 5 408 t in 2023. This expansion was driven by a sharp contraction in exports, which halved to 573 t in 2022 and fell again to 334 t in 2023. Shifts in international trade flows supported this trend, with key export destinations including Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, and the United States, while supply was sourced from origins like Lithuania and China, affecting the regional balance.

Production raw or retted, not spun flax in Americas

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of raw or retted, not spun flax, 2017-2020

World map of production of raw or retted, not spun flax, 2017-2020

In 2019, the production of raw or retted, not spun flax in the Americas reached its lowest point at 5 643 tonnes. This was followed by a slight increase to 5 659 tonnes in 2020, which remained relatively stable compared to the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5 672 tonnes. The largest year-over-year decline occurred in 2019 with a decrease of 0.5%, while the largest increase was observed in 2018 at 0.4%.

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

Exports raw or retted, not spun flax from Americas

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2018, raw or retted, not spun flax exports from the Americas hit their lowest point at 739 tonnes, representing a 77.3% decline from the previous year. By 2020, exports had recovered to 1 063 tonnes, marking a 33.8% increase compared to 2019. The overall volume varied significantly, with a 4.4-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Australia, and the United Kingdom were consistently the main destinations for exports in kind. China accounted for 57.0% of exports, Australia for 8.8%, and the United Kingdom for 2.5%. Together, these three countries represented 68.3% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, foreign supplies of raw or retted, not spun flax from the Americas totaled 811 thousand US dollars, showing little change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 58.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -25.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, when exports fell by 50.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Australia, and the United Kingdom remained the primary destinations for exports in value terms. China accounted for 47.4% of exports, Australia for 12.7%, and the United Kingdom for 5.0%. Collectively, these three countries made up 65.2% of total export flows during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports raw or retted, not spun flax to Americas

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. In 2020, raw or retted, not spun flax deliveries to the Americas amounted to 7 tonnes, a 28.2% decrease year-over-year. This was the lowest point, while imports peaked in 2018 at 65 tonnes. The difference between these years was substantial, with a 9.2-fold variation. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 84.8% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 347.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy was the main supplier of raw or retted, not spun flax to the Americas, accounting for 0.9% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. In 2020, the Americas imported a total of 27 thousand US dollars of raw or retted, not spun flax, representing a 14.4% decrease from the previous year. This was the lowest point, while imports reached their peak in 2018 at 211 thousand US dollars, resulting in a 7.7-fold difference between these years. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 84.9% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 555.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and Italy were the key partner countries for imports in value terms of raw or retted, not spun flax to the Americas, jointly accounting for 2.0% of total flows.

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

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