Raw or retted, not spun flax market in France

Earlier Report Observations

The French market for raw or retted, not spun flax expanded markedly in 2019, with volume rising to 850.5 thousand tons. This surge was propelled by an excellent 2018 harvest in Normandy and Hauts-de-France, which delivered high yields and superior quality, generating attractive gross margins for farmers and encouraging increased planting. Robust international demand, especially from China and European spinners, provided a steady outlet for the growing production.

Market volume contracted from 2020 onward, initially due to the COVID-19 pandemic which disrupted global supply chains, closed key Chinese ports, and idled European processing mills, depressing fiber prices and demand. Unfavorable weather further reduced the 2020 harvest. In response, industry advisors recommended cuts to sowing areas, which contributed to lower production in 2021 even as fiber prices began a sharp recovery. This period also saw the launch of new flax varieties and significant investments in renovating and building spinning mills to absorb future crop volumes.

The decline in market volume continued through 2022 and 2023. In 2022, despite a post-pandemic rebound in demand and a significant increase in planted area, water stress during the growing season limited yields, holding back production. By 2023, high energy and input costs from broader inflationary pressures squeezed margins. Throughout this later phase, the sector focused on strengthening its value chain via the European Flax certification for traceability and continued investment in new spinning capacity, including a €10 million project announced for 2024.

Production raw or retted, not spun flax in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, France was the world's largest producer of raw or retted, not spun flax.

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, France's production of raw or retted, not spun flax declined. In 2020, France produced 744.3 K t, marking a significant drop of 12.5% compared to 2019. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 24.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 850.4 K t, with the largest year-on-year increase of 28.8% also occurring that year.

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

Exports raw or retted, not spun flax from France

According to market data, France did not export any raw or retted, not spun flax between 2017 and 2020.

Imports raw or retted, not spun flax to France

Imports in kind, t

The import market for raw or retted, not spun flax in France showed considerable volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2017, with a 15-fold difference between these years. In 2020, France imported a total of {value_last_year} t, which represents an 80.0% decrease compared to the previous year. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018 at 89.1%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 204.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France's import sources for raw or retted, not spun flax were highly concentrated, with Belgium accounting for 93.2% of all imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market in value terms exhibited significant volatility from 2017 to 2020. Imports varied widely, dropping to a low in 2020 after reaching a high in 2017, with a 30-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, France imported approximately 18.5 K $ US worth of raw or retted, not spun flax, down by 87.5% from 2019. The sharpest decline was in 2018 at 88.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 130.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium was the dominant source for France's imports of raw or retted, not spun flax in value terms, holding 72.9% of the total. Other countries each contributed much smaller shares.

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

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