Raw or retted, not spun flax market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for raw or retted, not spun flax in Northern Europe expanded from 14 273 t in 2018 to a peak of 14 720 t in 2020, then contracted to 14 037 t in 2022 before a slight recovery to 14 126 t in 2023. Production mirrored this trend, while exports grew notably from 2021 onward, reaching 739 t in 2023.

In 2024, industrial investments in the region, including the installation of new scutching lines, increased processing capacity for flax fiber. A good flax straw harvest that year supported market supply, while prices exhibited volatility, declining from €9.00 per kilogram in March 2024 to €3.33 by January 2025. Global demand for sustainable and traceable flax materials continued to shape the market dynamics.

Production raw or retted, not spun flax in Northern Europe

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

Raw or retted, not spun flax production in Northern Europe increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 14 730 tonnes, marking a 1.8% year-over-year advance. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 2.3%, which translates to an annualized decline of 0.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 14 269 tonnes, with that year also seeing the largest decline of 5.4%.

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

Exports raw or retted, not spun flax from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, kg

The market displayed significant volatility during the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 1 115 kg, while peaking in 2020 at 22 908 kg, resulting in a substantial 21-fold gap between these years. In 2020, shipments from Northern Europe surged by 1,955.2% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 91.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, France, the United States, and Norway emerged as the primary markets for exports in kind. France accounted for 40.2% of exports, followed by the United States at 16.2%, and Norway at 10.1%. Together, these three countries represented 66.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 7.3-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2019. In 2020, export volumes from Northern Europe amounted to 98.9 thousand US dollars, reflecting an abrupt rise of 309.5% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 24.2 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with an 85.9% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Ghana, France, and the United States accounted for the largest share of exports in value terms. Ghana led with 38.5%, followed by France at 19.3%, and the United States at 8.0%. Collectively, these three markets comprised 65.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports raw or retted, not spun flax to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, kg

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports varied by 7.4 times, from a high in 2017 to a low in 2018. In 2020, imported volumes into Northern Europe totalled 12 795 kg, representing a steep rise of 66.0% relative to the prior year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 5 345 kg, with that year also experiencing the largest decline of 86.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Czechia, China, and Canada—together absorbed 88.4% of total imports in kind of raw or retted, not spun flax to Northern Europe.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. The span from 2018 to 2019 showed a peak-to-trough amplitude of 3.1 times. In 2020, Northern Europe imported 30.2 thousand US dollars of raw or retted, not spun flax, reflecting an abrupt contraction of 58.5% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 23.6 thousand US dollars, while the maximum occurred in 2019 at 72.8 thousand US dollars. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a surge of 208.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, the United States, and Czechia consistently remained the main destinations for imports in value terms. China accounted for 60.4% of imports, followed by the United States at 13.5%, and Czechia at 5.5%. Together, these three countries represented 79.4% of total import flows.

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

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