EU: Flax Fiber Market 2025

Flax Fiber Market Size in the EU

In 2022, the EU flax fiber market decreased by -1.8% to $X, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. The total consumption indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -6.2% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Flax Fiber Production in the EU

In value terms, flax fiber production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -0.4% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 26%. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

France (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of flax fiber production, comprising approx. 85% of total volume. Moreover, flax fiber production in France exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Belgium (X tons), sixfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in France totaled +3.9%.

The average flax fiber yield was estimated at X tons per ha in 2022, picking up by 2.1% on the year before. Overall, the yield, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the yield increased by 9.1%. Over the period under review, the flax fiber yield reached the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, approx. X ha of flax fiber were harvested in the European Union; approximately equating the previous year's figure. The total harvested area indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, flax fiber harvested area decreased by -0.4% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 18%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to flax fiber production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Flax Fiber Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2022, overseas shipments of flax fiber increased by 9.9% to X tons, rising for the sixth consecutive year after two years of decline. Total exports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +53.9% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, flax fiber exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed a prominent expansion. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

France (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) dominates exports structure, together making up 95% of total exports. The Netherlands (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Belgium (with a CAGR of +9.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, France ($X), Belgium ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 91% share of total exports.

Belgium, with a CAGR of +15.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 25% against the previous year. Export price indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+4.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Flax Fiber Imports

Imports in the EU

After three years of growth, overseas purchases of flax fiber decreased by -0.4% to X tons in 2022. Total imports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +49.7% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 30%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, flax fiber imports rose notably to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 33%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

Belgium (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) prevails in imports structure, together constituting 71% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Lithuania (X tons) and France (X tons), together creating a 14% share of total imports. Poland (X tons), Latvia (X tons) and Italy (X tons) held a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Latvia (with a CAGR of +14.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Belgium ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported flax fiber in the European Union, comprising 53% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Lithuania ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Poland, with an 8.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Belgium stood at +12.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Lithuania (+9.5% per year) and Poland (+15.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, rising by 9.7% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.5%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 19%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+10.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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