Europe: Linseed Market 2025

Linseed Market Size in Europe

In 2022, the Europe linseed market decreased by -3.9% to $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year rising trend. The total consumption indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2022: its value 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. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +65.5% against 2017 indices. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

Linseed Production in Europe

In value terms, linseed production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a resilient expansion 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 -7.4% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the production volume increased by 42%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of linseed production was Russia (X tons), accounting for 83% of total volume. Moreover, linseed production in Russia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, France (X tons), more than tenfold. The UK (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 5.1% share.

In Russia, linseed production expanded at an average annual rate of +7.2% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: France (+10.8% per year) and the UK (+4.4% per year).

The average linseed yield contracted slightly to X kg per ha in 2022, with a decrease of -2.5% compared with 2021 figures. In general, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the yield increased by 15% against the previous year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the linseed yield remained at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The linseed harvested area reduced dramatically to X ha in 2022, with a decrease of -16.3% against the previous year. Overall, the harvested area, however, saw a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 48% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha, and then declined sharply in the following year.

Linseed Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2022, exports of linseed in Europe contracted to X tons, which is down by -13.7% on the previous year. Total exports indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% 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 +20.8% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 43% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, linseed exports shrank sharply to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 59%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then fell remarkably in the following year.

Exports by Country

Russia was the largest exporting country with an export of about X tons, which reached 63% of total exports. Belgium (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 13% share, followed by Poland (7.4%). The following exporters - the Netherlands (X tons), the UK (X tons), France (X tons) and Ukraine (X tons) - together made up 11% of total exports.

Exports from Russia increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Poland (+37.4%) and France (+10.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Poland emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Europe, with a CAGR of +37.4% from 2012-2022. The Netherlands experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Belgium (-3.1%), the UK (-6.4%) and Ukraine (-8.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Russia (+10 p.p.) and Poland (+7.1 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Ukraine (-4.1 p.p.), the UK (-4.1 p.p.) and Belgium (-8.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Russia ($X) remains the largest linseed supplier in Europe, comprising 50% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Belgium ($X), with a 16% share of total exports. It was followed by Poland, with an 11% share.

In Russia, linseed exports expanded at an average annual rate of +6.0% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (+0.5% per year) and Poland (+43.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -1.5% against the previous year. Export price indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, linseed export price increased by +73.3% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 36%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

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 the Netherlands ($X per ton), while Russia ($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 (+4.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Linseed Imports

Imports in Europe

In 2022, purchases abroad of linseed decreased by -13.5% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, linseed imports declined modestly to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% 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 +78.8% against 2016 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 34%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, leveling off in the following year.

Imports by Country

Belgium represented the major importer of linseed in Europe, with the volume of imports accounting for X tons, which was approx. 42% of total imports in 2022. Germany (X tons) took a 12% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by the Netherlands (11%) and Poland (10%). Russia (X tons), France (X tons), Italy (X tons), the UK (X tons), Austria (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to linseed imports into Belgium stood at -2.8%. At the same time, Russia (+52.7%), the Czech Republic (+25.2%), Poland (+19.0%), the Netherlands (+6.5%), the UK (+4.9%), Austria (+4.8%) and Italy (+1.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Russia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Europe, with a CAGR of +52.7% from 2012-2022. France experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Germany (-4.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Poland, the Netherlands and Russia increased by +8.6, +5.1 and +4.4 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Belgium ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported linseed in Europe, comprising 39% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with an 11% share.

In Belgium, linseed imports increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+0.5% per year) and the Netherlands (+9.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 14% against the previous year. Import price indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, linseed import price increased by +85.8% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 38%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+5.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform