Raw or retted, not spun flax market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

Belgium's market for raw or retted flax grew steadily from 84 thousand tons in 2018 to 114 thousand tons in 2021, before declining to 108 thousand tons in 2022 and 87 thousand tons in 2023.

The sharp contraction in 2023 was driven primarily by unfavorable weather that damaged the flax harvest, reducing fiber production by an estimated 26-36%. This supply shock coincided with a downturn in the flax fabric market, which lowered demand for raw flax as consumption of finished linen products decreased.

In 2024, continued adverse weather limited harvests and pushed flax prices to a peak of €9.08 per kg, while industrial investments, including the installation of 19 new scutching lines over the past decade, expanded processing capacity in Belgium to better respond to market volatility.

Production raw or retted, not spun flax in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Belgium was one of the world's top producers of raw or retted, not spun flax from 2017 to 2020, ranking second globally by production volume.

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

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

After two years of growth, Belgium's production of raw or retted, not spun flax declined. In 2020, the country produced 81 660 tonnes, down 13.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 17.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 94 000 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 23.9%.

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

Exports raw or retted, not spun flax from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. The lowest exports occurred in 2020 at 181 tonnes, which was 81.5% lower than in 2019. The highest exports were recorded in 2019 at 979 tonnes, creating a 5.4-fold difference between these years. The largest annual increase happened in 2018 at 110.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France accounted for 70.9% of Belgium's total exports in volume, with the remaining exports distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values followed an unstable trend throughout the period. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2019 at 909 000 US dollars, creating a 3.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Belgium exported 341 000 US dollars worth of raw or retted, not spun flax, representing a steep decline of 62.4% compared to 2019. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019 at 135.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, France and China remained Belgium's key export partners in value terms, together accounting for 83.5% of total export flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports raw or retted, not spun flax to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes displayed irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest imports occurred in 2019 at 7 871 tonnes, while the highest were recorded in 2020 at 22 208 tonnes, representing a 2.8-fold increase. The 2020 figure marked an abrupt rise of 182.2% compared to 2019. The largest annual decline happened in 2018 at 27.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium's import sources in volume terms were extremely concentrated, with France alone responsible for 99.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Belgium imported 11 498 000 US dollars worth of raw or retted, not spun flax, up 114.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 130.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 32.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of imports in value terms was dominated by a single market: France, which accounted for 98.9% of total import flows.

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

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