Raw or retted, not spun flax market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

Production of raw or retted, not spun flax in Latin America and the Caribbean remained highly stable from 2018 through 2023, with annual output hovering between 5 643 t and 5 700 t. The market size, determined almost entirely by domestic production given negligible import and export volumes, mirrored this steadiness, fluctuating within a narrow band of 5 652 t to 5 674 t.

This stability extended into 2024, with market volume reaching 5 706 t. Available information indicates the region's market was characterized by modest international trade flows and limited regional production capacity, which did not alter the fundamental pattern of consistent supply and demand observed throughout the period.

Production raw or retted, not spun flax in Latin America and the Caribbean

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, Latin America and the Caribbean produced 5 643 tonnes of raw or retted, not spun flax, marking the lowest output in recent years. Production then increased slightly in 2020 to 5 659 tonnes, showing minimal change from the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5 672 tonnes. The most significant production decline occurred in 2019 with a 0.5% decrease, while the largest increase was seen in 2018 with a 0.4% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports raw or retted, not spun flax from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, kg

In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean exported 1 637 kilograms of raw or retted, not spun flax, showing only marginal fluctuations compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2020, exports surged by 695.7%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 99.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Spain and the United Arab Emirates emerged as the primary buyers of raw or retted, not spun flax from Latin America and the Caribbean, together accounting for 12.8% of total exports in volume terms.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, $ US

In 2020, the value of raw or retted, not spun flax exports from Latin America and the Caribbean reached 8 370 US dollars, showing little change from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, export values increased dramatically by 1 147.4%, representing a compound annual growth rate of 131.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates remained the main buyers of raw or retted, not spun flax from Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms. Spain accounted for 27.0% of export value, the United States for 7.4%, and the United Arab Emirates for 1.1%, collectively representing 35.5% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports raw or retted, not spun flax to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, kg

Imports of raw or retted, not spun flax into Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 2 671 kilograms. This represented a significant decrease of 67.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 71.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 34.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 11 959 kilograms, which also saw the largest increase of 28.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated imports of raw or retted, not spun flax into Latin America and the Caribbean in volume terms, holding a 53.2% share.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, $ US

In 2020, the value of raw or retted, not spun flax imports into Latin America and the Caribbean stood at 26 631 US dollars, declining by 12.6% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import values decreased by 14.3%, with an annualized decline of 5.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 10.5% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, $ US

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, the United States and China led the import structure in value terms for raw or retted, not spun flax into Latin America and the Caribbean, together accounting for 37.5% of total import value.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020