France’s Flax Fiber Exports Increased by 39% in 2014

France dominates in the global flax fiber trade. In 2014, France exported 142 thousand tonnes of flax fiber totaling 379 million USD, 39% over the previous year. Its primary trading partner was China, where it supplied 65% of its total flax fiber exports in value terms, accounting for 62% of China's total imports.

Overall, the global flax fiber trade reached 660 million USD, with a CAGR of 7% from 2007 to 2014. In physical terms, it showed mixed dynamics, rising from 243 thousand tonnes in 2007 to 276 thousand tonnes in 2014.

In 2014, the main destination of flax fiber was China (63%). It was followed by Belgium (16%), India (5%), Poland (3%) and Lithuania (2%). These five leaders made up 88% of global imports. The share of China increased (+10 percentage points), while the share of the Netherlands illustrated negative dynamics (-5 percentage points).

Belgium and slightly Belarus were among the other main global suppliers of flax fiber in 2014 with a combined share of 34% of global exports. However, the fastest growing exporters from 2007 to 2014 were China (+32% per year) and Belarus (+16% per year). France strengthened its position in the global export structure, from 56% in 2007 to 58% in 2014.

Source: World: Flax Fiber - Market Report. Analysis And Forecast To 2020