Flax Fabric Price in United States Shrinks Markedly to $11.4 per Square Meter

U.S. Flax Fabric Import Price in May 2023

In May 2023, the flax fabric price amounted to $11.4 per square meter (CIF, US), reducing by -9.3% against the previous month. In general, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in October 2022 when the average import price increased by 26% month-to-month. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $12.6 per square meter in April 2023, and then shrank in the following month.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin: the country with the highest price was Thailand ($26.1 per square meter), while the price for China ($2.7 per square meter) was amongst the lowest.

From May 2022 to May 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belarus (+9.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

U.S. Flax Fabric Import Prices by Type

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was fabrics, woven; of flax, containing less than 85% flax, unbleached or bleached ($16.7 per square meter), while the price for fabrics, woven; of flax, containing less than 85% flax, other than unbleached or bleached ($8.1 per square meter) was amongst the lowest.

From May 2022 to May 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by fabrics, woven; of flax, containing less than 85% flax, unbleached or bleached (+8.2%), while the prices for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

U.S. Flax Fabric Imports

In May 2023, supplies from abroad of woven fabrics of flax was finally on the rise to reach 842K square meters for the first time since January 2023, thus ending a three-month declining trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in January 2023 with an increase of 32% month-to-month. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at 1.4M square meters in September 2022; however, from October 2022 to May 2023, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, flax fabric imports contracted modestly to $9.6M (IndexBox estimates) in May 2023. In general, imports, however, saw a noticeable descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in January 2023 with an increase of 10% against the previous month. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at 12M square meters in May 2022; however, from June 2022 to May 2023, imports failed to regain momentum.

U.S. Flax Fabric Imports by Type

Fabrics, woven; of flax, containing less than 85% flax, other than unbleached or bleached (338K square meters), fabrics, woven; of flax, containing 85% or more flax, other than bleached or unbleached (323K square meters) and fabrics, woven; of flax, containing 85% or more flax, unbleached or bleached (152K square meters) were the main products of flax fabric imports to the United States, with a combined 97% share of total imports.

From May 2022 to May 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the major product types, was attained by fabrics, woven; of flax, containing less than 85% flax, other than unbleached or bleached (with a CAGR of -0.6%), while imports for the other products experienced a decline.

In value terms, fabrics, woven; of flax, containing 85% or more flax, other than bleached or unbleached ($4.7M), fabrics, woven; of flax, containing less than 85% flax, other than unbleached or bleached ($2.7M) and fabrics, woven; of flax, containing 85% or more flax, unbleached or bleached ($1.7M) were the most imported types of woven fabrics of flax in the United States, together accounting for 95% of total imports.

U.S. Flax Fabric Imports by Country

In May 2023, China (290K square meters) constituted the largest supplier of flax fabric to the United States, accounting for a 34% share of total imports. Moreover, flax fabric imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Italy (132K square meters), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Belgium (107K square meters), with a 13% share.

From May 2022 to May 2023, the average monthly growth rate of volume from China was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average monthly rates of imports growth: Italy (+1.7% per month) and Belgium (-4.8% per month).

In value terms, Belgium ($2.4M), Italy ($1.9M) and the UK ($1.2M) were the largest flax fabric suppliers to the United States, with a combined 58% share of total imports.

Italy, with a CAGR of +0.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform