Italy: Flax Fiber Market 2025

Flax Fiber Market Size in Italy

The Italian flax fiber market dropped markedly to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -29.8% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, showed a strong expansion. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X, and then dropped notably in the following year.

Flax Fiber Production in Italy

In value terms, flax fiber production dropped modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 570% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2022, the average flax fiber yield in Italy dropped modestly to X tons per ha, stabilizing at the year before. Over the period under review, the yield, however, continues to indicate significant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 688% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average flax fiber yield reached the peak level at X tons per ha in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the yield stood 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.

In 2022, the flax fiber harvested area in Italy expanded rapidly to X ha, growing by 5.6% compared with 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, continues to indicate a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. The flax fiber harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Flax Fiber Exports

Exports from Italy

In 2022, the amount of flax fiber exported from Italy soared to X tons, surging by 20% compared with the previous year's figure. In general, exports posted strong growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 360%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, flax fiber exports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a significant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 278% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Lithuania (X tons) was the main destination for flax fiber exports from Italy, with a 45% share of total exports. Moreover, flax fiber exports to Lithuania exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Tunisia (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the UK (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Lithuania amounted to +17.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Tunisia (-4.5% per year) and the UK (+98.2% per year).

In value terms, the UK ($X), the United States ($X) and Turkey ($X) constituted the largest markets for flax fiber exported from Italy worldwide, with a combined 47% share of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, the UK, with a CAGR of +137.3%, recorded 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 average flax fiber export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 30% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 291%. The export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Lithuania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the UK (+19.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Flax Fiber Imports

Imports into Italy

In 2022, purchases abroad of flax fiber decreased by -40.2% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Overall, imports, however, showed resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 121%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then declined dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, flax fiber imports reduced notably to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 113% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then dropped dramatically in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Lithuania (X tons) constituted the largest flax fiber supplier to Italy, with a 64% share of total imports. Moreover, flax fiber imports from Lithuania exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Belgium (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Egypt (X tons), with a 9.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Lithuania amounted to +31.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Belgium (-10.8% per year) and Egypt (+3.7% per year).

In value terms, Lithuania ($X) constituted the largest supplier of flax fiber to Italy, comprising 65% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Belgium ($X), with a 17% share of total imports. It was followed by Austria, with a 5.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Lithuania stood at +36.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Belgium (-5.2% per year) and Austria (+34.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average flax fiber import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 21% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, import 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 supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the price for Egypt ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+8.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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