Russian flax market

Chronicle

2023: Sowing areas of flax in Russia in 4 years decreased by 30% to 35.2 thousand hectares

In 2023, the sown areas of flax-dolgunets in Russia amounted to approximately 35.2 thousand hectares. For comparison, in 2019 this figure was estimated at 49.7 thousand hectares. Thus, in four years, a drop of about 30% was recorded. Relevant data are reflected in the BusinesStat review published on July 23, 2024.

Flax is used to obtain short strand fiber (used for the manufacture of bag and packaging fabrics), non-strand fiber (used to make ropes, twine, etc.), as well as long flax fiber (used to create fabric for sewing clothes, home textiles). Key players in the Russian industry include Flax Manufactory Partnership LLC, Russian Len LLC, Biysk Flax Company JSC, Sheksna JSC and Ilyino-Zaborskoye JSC.

The study says that in 2020, the sown areas of flax-dolgunets in Russia increased by 6.5% compared to 2019, reaching 52.9 thousand hectares. However, then the fall began. In 2021, the area decreased by 24.9% - to 39.7 thousand hectares, and in 2022 there was a decrease of 11.2% with a final result of 35.3 thousand hectares. In 2023, a decrease of 0.1% was recorded.

Analysts attribute the negative dynamics to the insufficient demand for flax among agronomists compared to wheat and other grains. Unlike agricultural organizations engaged in flax-dolgunets, grain producers can predict profitability in advance. At the same time, there is a growing demand for Russian flax fiber in the world market. It is said that the sale prices of flax fiber during 2019-2023 rose almost three times. In Russia, there are state programs aimed at reviving and increasing the production of Dolgunets flax.^[1]

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