Flax Fiber Market

The article discusses the rising demand for flax fiber globally, with market performance projected to increase slightly over the next eight years. In 2022, global consumption dropped, but overall consumption trend has been mild. China leads in consumption and imports, while France and Belgium dominate exports. Flax fiber market value and production have seen fluctuations but are expected to continue growing in the near future.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for flax fiber worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +3.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 361K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +8.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $2B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Flax Fiber

In 2022, global consumption of flax fiber dropped to 272K tons, falling by -12.3% against the previous year's figure. Overall, consumption recorded a mild descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the consumption volume increased by 9.6%. Global consumption peaked at 325K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global flax fiber market value dropped to $1.1B in 2022, reducing by -2.2% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the global market reached the peak level at $1.1B in 2021, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

Consumption By Country

China (135K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of flax fiber consumption, accounting for 50% of total volume. Moreover, flax fiber consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, India (33K tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Egypt (17K tons), with a 6.3% share.

In China, flax fiber consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +6.0% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: India (+21.1% per year) and Egypt (+4.0% per year).

In value terms, China ($495M) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by Egypt ($235M). It was followed by India.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in China stood at +9.2%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: Egypt (+5.1% per year) and India (+23.0% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of flax fiber per capita consumption was registered in Belarus (1,520 kg per 1000 persons), followed by the Netherlands (745 kg per 1000 persons), Hong Kong SAR (669 kg per 1000 persons) and Belgium (427 kg per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of flax fiber was estimated at 35 kg per 1000 persons.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the flax fiber per capita consumption in Belarus stood at -2.1%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: the Netherlands (+8.0% per year) and Hong Kong SAR (+2.8% per year).

Production

World Production of Flax Fiber

In 2022, the amount of flax fiber produced worldwide expanded rapidly to 362K tons, with an increase of 7% against the previous year's figure. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. As a result, production reached the peak volume and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a mild increase of the harvested area and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.

In value terms, flax fiber production shrank to $1.1B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $1.1B in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were France (188K tons), Belgium (104K tons) and Belarus (20K tons), with a combined 86% share of global production. Egypt, the Netherlands, Russia and Ukraine lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 13%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +25.1%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Flax Fiber

Global flax fiber imports fell to 263K tons in 2022, waning by -11.3% against the previous year. Overall, total imports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% 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 +15.9% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 31%. As a result, imports attained the peak of 296K tons, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, flax fiber imports rose rapidly to $984M in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, posted a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 39% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Imports By Country

China was the main importer of flax fiber in the world, with the volume of imports finishing at 135K tons, which was approx. 51% of total imports in 2022. Belgium (39K tons) took a 15% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by India (13%). Lithuania (8.3K tons), France (5.2K tons), Hong Kong SAR (5.1K tons), the Netherlands (4.3K tons) and Poland (4.2K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to flax fiber imports into China stood at +6.0%. At the same time, India (+21.0%), France (+10.0%), Belgium (+7.5%), Poland (+6.4%), Lithuania (+5.2%) and Hong Kong SAR (+3.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, India emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +21.0% from 2012-2022. By contrast, the Netherlands (-10.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. India (+9.7 p.p.), Belgium (+2.5 p.p.) and China (+2.2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while the Netherlands saw its share reduced by -7.3% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($541M) constitutes the largest market for imported flax fiber worldwide, comprising 55% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by India ($131M), with a 13% share of global imports. It was followed by Belgium, with a 12% share.

In China, flax fiber imports expanded at an average annual rate of +10.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+23.6% per year) and Belgium (+11.9% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average flax fiber import price stood at $3,747 per ton in 2022, rising by 27% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a measured increase 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. Based on 2022 figures, flax fiber import price increased by +31.3% against 2020 indices. 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 importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Hong Kong SAR ($4,866 per ton), while France ($2,246 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+10.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Flax Fiber

Global flax fiber exports rose rapidly to 353K tons in 2022, with an increase of 8.7% compared with 2021. Overall, total exports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.5% 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 +50.0% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 20%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, flax fiber exports surged to $1.2B in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 37%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

France (184K tons) and Belgium (138K tons) dominates exports structure, together creating 91% of total exports. The following exporters - the Netherlands (6.8K tons) and Belarus (6.7K tons) - each reached a 3.8% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Belgium (with a CAGR of +9.9%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest flax fiber supplying countries worldwide were France ($536M), Belgium ($460M) and Belarus ($14M), together accounting for 86% of global exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Belgium, with a CAGR of +14.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average flax fiber export price amounted to $3,312 per ton, growing by 16% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.9%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average export price increased by 29% against the previous year. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

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 ($3,337 per ton), while the Netherlands ($1,437 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+4.2%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform