Market research

Raw or retted, not spun flax market in the United Kingdom

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The UK market for raw or retted, not spun flax expanded gradually from 14,272 t in 2018 to 14,532 t in 2020. This growth halted in 2021, and the market volume contracted to 13,961 t by 2023. The shift was driven by a substantial rise in exports, which increased from near zero to 735 t over the period, reducing the volume available for domestic consumption.

European supply-side factors shaped the market from 2023 onward. Record rainfall in Northern France disrupted flax retting, tightening regional fiber supply and likely constraining UK imports. Concurrent industrial investments in Western Europe, including 19 new scutching lines over a decade, enhanced processing capacity and supported the growth of exports from the UK, which reached 2,447 t by 2025. High production costs and labor-intensive methods further influenced market dynamics, reinforcing the trend toward external markets.

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, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in the United Kingdom
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, 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, 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. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Kingdom, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Kingdom, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Kingdom, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Kingdom, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, $ 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, 2018-2025
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 the United Kingdom

In kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the United Kingdom ranked 6th globally in the production of raw or retted, not spun flax.

Top producers of raw or retted, not spun flax, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of raw or retted, not spun flax, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

After two years of growth, production of raw or retted, not spun flax in the United Kingdom declined. In 2021, the UK produced 14 421 tonnes, marking a 0.8% decrease compared to 2020. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 14 530 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 1.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.4%	0.5%	(0.8%)	0.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports raw or retted, not spun flax from the United Kingdom

Exports in kind, t

The United Kingdom's export volume of raw or retted, not spun flax increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the UK exported 409.6 tonnes, representing a sharp gain of 23 027.8% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 375 674.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1 454.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	351.4%	260.0%	23 027.8%	1 454.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2018 and 2021, 97.0% of the United Kingdom's total exports in kind of raw or retted, not spun flax were directed to Belgium, making this market overwhelmingly dominant.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Foreign supplies of raw or retted, not spun flax from the United Kingdom increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports stood at 111.6 thousand US dollars, amounting to a sharp rise of 234.4% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 658.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 96.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	42.2%	59.5%	234.4%	96.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Belgium (46.2% of exports in value terms), Kuwait (10.9%), and the United States (9.4%) were the principal buyers of raw or retted, not spun flax from the United Kingdom, jointly accounting for 66.5% of total exports in value terms.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports raw or retted, not spun flax to the United Kingdom

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 2.8 tonnes, then peaked in 2021 at 98.7 tonnes, representing a 36-fold increase between these years. In 2021, the United Kingdom's import volume registered a sharp rise of 2 621.6% compared to 2020. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 7.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(7.9%)	31.3%	2 621.6%	220.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports in kind of raw or retted, not spun flax to the United Kingdom were largely concentrated on the Netherlands, which accounted for 86.6% of total flows; other countries together formed the residual share.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign supplies of raw or retted, not spun flax to the United Kingdom increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports stood at 89.8 thousand US dollars, which is 407.3% higher compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 542.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 85.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.5%	24.9%	407.3%	85.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2018 and 2021, three principal markets — China, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands — together accounted for 89.3% of total imports in value terms of raw or retted, not spun flax to the United Kingdom.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io