Market research

Raw or retted, not spun flax market in Europe

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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"Europe" region includes following countries:

Albania

Andorra

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Croatia

Gibraltar

Greece

the Holy See

Italy

Malta

Montenegro

Portugal

San Marino

Serbia

Slovenia

Spain

North Macedonia

Bulgaria

Belarus

Czechia

Hungary

Moldova

Poland

Romania

Russia

Slovakia

Ukraine

Denmark

Estonia

Faroe Islands

Finland

Åland Islands

Iceland

Ireland

Latvia

Lithuania

Norway

Sweden

the United Kingdom

Isle of Man

Austria

Belgium

France

Germany

Liechtenstein

Luxembourg

Monaco

the Netherlands

Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The European market for raw or retted, not spun flax expanded notably in 2019, reaching a volume of 1 062 thousand tonnes, a 26% increase from the previous year. This growth was followed by a contraction, with market size falling to 938 thousand tonnes in 2020 and continuing to decline over the next three years.

By 2023, the market had decreased to 665 thousand tonnes, representing a 21% drop from 2022 and a 37% reduction from the 2019 peak. Production followed a similar downward trajectory, indicating underlying supply-side adjustments throughout the period.

In 2024, the industry highlighted significant capital investments, with 19 new processing plants established in Western Europe over the previous decade to enhance capacity. Production remains centered on certified European Flax™, which is grown without irrigation and is non-GMO, while research partnerships aim to improve fiber quality.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Europe
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Europe in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Albania in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Albania by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Albania in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Albania by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Albania, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Albania by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Albania in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Albania by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Albania in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Albania by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Albania, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Albania by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Albania in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Albania by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Albania in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Albania by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Albania, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Albania by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Albania in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Albania by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Albania in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Albania by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Albania, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Albania by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production raw or retted, not spun flax in Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

After rising for two consecutive years, production of raw or retted, not spun flax in Europe declined. In 2020, Europe produced 937 K t of this flax, representing an 11.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 20.7% overall, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.5%. The peak production was recorded in 2019 at 1 061 K t, with the largest annual increase of 26.6% also occurring that year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	7.9%	26.6%	(11.7%)	6.5%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports raw or retted, not spun flax from Europe

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout this period. Exports reached their highest point in 2017 and their lowest in 2018, with a 7.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Europe exported 347 t of raw or retted, not spun flax, down 37.3% year-over-year. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 143 t, which also saw the largest decline of 86.3%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with exports surging by 287.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(86.3%)	287.2%	(37.3%)	(30.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China consistently held the largest share of Europe's exports of raw or retted, not spun flax in kind, accounting for 2.0% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2018, showing a 3.1-fold shift. In 2020, the value of raw or retted, not spun flax leaving Europe reached 1 170 K $ US, marking a steep drop of 31.1% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 883 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 67.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with values rising by 92.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(67.7%)	92.3%	(31.1%)	(24.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Ghana, and the United States consistently remained the main destinations for Europe's exports of raw or retted, not spun flax in value terms. China accounted for 7.9% of exports, Ghana for 1.9%, and the United States for 0.8%, together making up 10.6% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports raw or retted, not spun flax to Europe

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports reached their maximum in 2018 and fell to their lowest point in 2017, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Europe's import volume of raw or retted, not spun flax amounted to 1 494 t, down 29.3% relative to the prior year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 848 t, which also saw the largest increase of 122.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	122.5%	(25.7%)	(29.3%)	5.3%

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Import values hit their highest point in 2020 and their lowest in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.4 times. In 2020, Europe imported 16 910 K $ US worth of raw or retted, not spun flax, reflecting a significant improvement of 141.2% versus the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 7 010 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 20.3%.

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