Flax Fabric Market

The global flax fabric market is projected to show an upward trend in both volume and value from 2022 to 2030, with a forecasted CAGR of +0.9% and +2.6% respectively. Vietnam leads in consumption and production, while China and Italy are major importing and exporting countries. Fabrics containing less than 85% flax dominate both imports and exports, with varying price trends in different countries.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for flax fabric worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 825M square meters by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $18.7B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Woven Fabrics Of Flax

In 2022, the amount of woven fabrics of flax consumed worldwide expanded to 768M square meters, increasing by 2.8% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 5.3%. Global consumption peaked at 771M square meters in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global flax fabric market revenue expanded sharply to $15.2B in 2022, with an increase of 5.3% 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). Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the market value increased by 9.9%. Global consumption peaked at $16.2B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

Vietnam (355M square meters) remains the largest flax fabric consuming country worldwide, comprising approx. 46% of total volume. Moreover, flax fabric consumption in Vietnam exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, China (67M square meters), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was held by the United States (50M square meters), with a 6.5% share.

In Vietnam, flax fabric consumption increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: China (-3.5% per year) and the United States (-0.5% per year).

In value terms, Vietnam ($8.5B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($1B). It was followed by the United States.

In Vietnam, the flax fabric market remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: China (-3.7% per year) and the United States (-1.3% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of flax fabric per capita consumption in 2022 were Vietnam (3,592 square meters per 1000 persons), Belarus (2,103 square meters per 1000 persons) and Italy (608 square meters per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Bangladesh (with a CAGR of +29.7%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Woven Fabrics Of Flax

In 2022, the amount of woven fabrics of flax produced worldwide expanded modestly to 769M square meters, surging by 2% on the previous year's figure. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 5.2%. Global production peaked at 776M square meters in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, flax fabric production amounted to $14.4B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a mild descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 18%. Global production peaked at $16.4B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

Vietnam (351M square meters) constituted the country with the largest volume of flax fabric production, comprising approx. 46% of total volume. Moreover, flax fabric production in Vietnam exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, China (153M square meters), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by the United States (39M square meters), with a 5.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Vietnam stood at +1.3%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: China (+2.2% per year) and the United States (-1.5% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Woven Fabrics Of Flax

In 2022, overseas purchases of woven fabrics of flax increased by 28% to 178M square meters, rising for the eighth year in a row after two years of decline. In general, imports continue to indicate buoyant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 48%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

In value terms, flax fabric imports surged to $1.8B in 2022. Overall, imports saw a prominent expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 49%. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Bangladesh (32M square meters), Italy (25M square meters) and Spain (23M square meters) was the largest importer of woven fabrics of flax in the world, creating 45% of total import. It was distantly followed by the United States (12M square meters), comprising a 6.9% share of total imports. The Netherlands (6.6M square meters), Indonesia (5.9M square meters), Slovenia (5.9M square meters), Cambodia (4.9M square meters), Vietnam (4.5M square meters), Poland (4M square meters), Germany (4M square meters), Lithuania (3.9M square meters) and Portugal (3.6M square meters) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Slovenia (with a CAGR of +80.4%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Bangladesh ($381M) constitutes the largest market for imported woven fabrics of flax worldwide, comprising 21% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($135M), with a 7.5% share of global imports. It was followed by Vietnam, with a 6.7% share.

In Bangladesh, flax fabric imports increased at an average annual rate of +27.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (+0.7% per year) and Vietnam (+14.1% per year).

Imports By Type

Fabrics, woven; of flax, containing less than 85% flax, other than unbleached or bleached (75M square meters) and fabrics, woven; of flax, containing 85% or more flax, other than bleached or unbleached (53M square meters) dominates imports structure, together constituting 86% of total imports. It was distantly followed by fabrics, woven; of flax, containing 85% or more flax, unbleached or bleached (14M square meters) and fabrics, woven; of flax, containing less than 85% flax, unbleached or bleached (7.6M square meters), together committing a 14% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key imported products, was attained by fabrics, woven; of flax, containing less than 85% flax, unbleached or bleached (with a CAGR of +19.7%), while imports for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, fabrics, woven; of flax, containing 85% or more flax, other than bleached or unbleached ($706M), fabrics, woven; of flax, containing less than 85% flax, other than unbleached or bleached ($641M) and fabrics, woven; of flax, containing 85% or more flax, unbleached or bleached ($342M) constituted the products with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 94% of global imports. These products were followed by fabrics, woven; of flax, containing less than 85% flax, unbleached or bleached, which accounted for a further 6.5%.

In terms of the main imported products, fabrics, woven; of flax, containing less than 85% flax, unbleached or bleached, with a CAGR of +8.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Type

The average flax fabric import price stood at $10 per square meter in 2022, dropping by -6.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a abrupt setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 18% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $24 per square meter. From 2015 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major imported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was fabrics, woven; of flax, containing 85% or more flax, unbleached or bleached ($25 per square meter), while the price for fabrics, woven; of flax, containing less than 85% flax, other than unbleached or bleached ($8.6 per square meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by fabrics, woven; of flax, containing less than 85% flax, other than unbleached or bleached (-2.5%), while the other products experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Import Prices By Country

The average flax fabric import price stood at $10 per square meter in 2022, shrinking by -6.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 18%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $24 per square meter. From 2015 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Vietnam ($27 per square meter), while Slovenia ($2.1 per square meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Vietnam (+9.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Woven Fabrics Of Flax

In 2022, global exports of woven fabrics of flax surged to 180M square meters, rising by 22% compared with 2021. Over the period under review, exports saw a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 79%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, flax fabric exports surged to $2B in 2022. In general, total exports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.8% 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 +74.2% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 47%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

China was the main exporting country with an export of about 87M square meters, which finished at 49% of total exports. Italy (19M square meters) took the second position in the ranking, followed by the Netherlands (18M square meters) and Spain (15M square meters). All these countries together held approx. 29% share of total exports. Belgium (5.1M square meters), France (3.4M square meters), Poland (3.2M square meters), Germany (3.1M square meters) and Hungary (2.9M square meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from China increased at an average annual rate of +11.6% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, the Netherlands (+45.5%), Hungary (+41.8%), Poland (+31.8%), Spain (+30.6%), Italy (+17.4%), Belgium (+13.9%), France (+13.9%) and Germany (+11.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Netherlands emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +45.5% from 2012-2022. The Netherlands (+9.3 p.p.), Spain (+6.4 p.p.) and Italy (+3.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while China saw its share reduced by -6.3% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($1.2B) remains the largest flax fabric supplier worldwide, comprising 57% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Italy ($198M), with a 9.7% share of global exports. It was followed by Belgium, with a 4.2% share.

In China, flax fabric exports expanded at an average annual rate of +11.7% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Italy (+2.1% per year) and Belgium (+3.0% per year).

Exports By Type

In 2022, fabrics, woven; of flax, containing less than 85% flax, other than unbleached or bleached (93M square meters) was the major type of woven fabrics of flax, making up 61% of total exports. It was distantly followed by fabrics, woven; of flax, containing 85% or more flax, other than bleached or unbleached (47M square meters) and fabrics, woven; of flax, containing 85% or more flax, unbleached or bleached (7.1M square meters), together making up a 35% share of total exports. Fabrics, woven; of flax, containing less than 85% flax, unbleached or bleached (6.4M square meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exported products, was attained by fabrics, woven; of flax, containing less than 85% flax, unbleached or bleached (with a CAGR of +13.0%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, fabrics, woven; of flax, containing 85% or more flax, other than bleached or unbleached ($770M), fabrics, woven; of flax, containing less than 85% flax, other than unbleached or bleached ($707M) and fabrics, woven; of flax, containing 85% or more flax, unbleached or bleached ($427M) were the products with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 94% share of global exports.

Fabrics, woven; of flax, containing less than 85% flax, other than unbleached or bleached, with a CAGR of +8.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exported products over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Type

The average flax fabric export price stood at $11 per square meter in 2022, dropping by -3.1% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 55% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $32 per square meter. From 2015 to 2022, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was fabrics, woven; of flax, containing 85% or more flax, unbleached or bleached ($60 per square meter), while the average price for exports of fabrics, woven; of flax, containing less than 85% flax, other than unbleached or bleached ($7.6 per square meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by fabrics, woven; of flax, containing 85% or more flax, unbleached or bleached (-2.1%), while the other products experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Export Prices By Country

The average flax fabric export price stood at $11 per square meter in 2022, which is down by -3.1% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average export price increased by 55%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $32 per square meter. From 2015 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($17 per square meter), while Hungary ($2.1 per square meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+0.2%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform