Europe: Flax Fiber Market 2025

Flax Fiber Market Size in Europe

The Europe flax fiber market amounted to $X in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% 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 -7.1% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Flax Fiber Production in Europe

In value terms, flax fiber production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% 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 -0.3% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the production volume increased by 22%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

The country with the largest volume of flax fiber production was France (X tons), comprising approx. 76% of total volume. Moreover, flax fiber production in France exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Belgium (X tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Belarus (X tons), with a 4.5% share.

In France, flax fiber production increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Belgium (+5.8% per year) and Belarus (-2.5% per year).

In 2022, the average flax fiber yield in Europe rose to X tons per ha, with an increase of 1.8% on the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 14%. Over the period under review, the flax fiber yield hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of flax fiber production in Europe stood at X ha, almost unchanged from the year before. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 10%. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Flax Fiber Exports

Exports in Europe

For the sixth consecutive year, Europe recorded growth in shipments abroad of flax fiber, which increased by 4.3% to X tons in 2022. Total exports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.9% 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 +53.2% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 28%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, flax fiber exports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a resilient increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 35% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

France (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) prevails in exports structure, together generating 90% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Belarus (X tons), creating a 4.9% share of total exports. The Netherlands (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Belarus (with a CAGR of +15.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($X), Belgium ($X) and Belarus ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 90% share of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Belgium, with a CAGR of +15.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 29% against the previous year. Export price indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% 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.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while Belarus ($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 Europe

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was decline in overseas purchases of flax fiber, when their volume decreased by -2.7% to X tons. Total imports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% 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 +52.1% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

In value terms, flax fiber imports expanded sharply to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.9% 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 +81.8% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 34%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Belgium (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main importers of flax fiber in Europe, together committing 66% of total imports. Lithuania (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Russia (X tons) and France (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 19% share of total imports. The following importers - Poland (X tons) and Latvia (X tons) - together made up 7.3% 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 ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported flax fiber in Europe, comprising 51% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Lithuania ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Poland, with an 8% share.

In Belgium, flax fiber imports expanded at an average annual rate of +12.8% over the period from 2012-2022. 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

The import price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 11% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.1%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the import price increased by 18%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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 Poland ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($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