The European Union increased imports of oil flax by 48% despite logistical problems

According to the European Commission, between July 1 and October 25, 2026, EU countries increased their imports of oil flax by 47.9% compared to the same period last year, from 123.07 to 182.04 thousand tons, despite problems with international logistics and rising transportation costs. At the same time, the value of imports increased by 38.8% to 105.9 million euros, which indicates a decrease in purchase prices, although in recent weeks they have begun to increase against the backdrop of transportation difficulties.

The main supplier of oilseed flax to the EU remains Kazakhstan, which increased exports by 75.5% to 100.26 thousand tons (55% of total imports). Deliveries from Canada increased by 3.7 times to 53.69 thousand tons, and from Ukraine by 49.6% from 12.53 to 18.75 thousand tons, while deliveries from the Russian Federation decreased by 95.9% from 31.53 to 1.3 thousand tons due to the introduction of import duties by the European Union.

However, transport restrictions may reduce flax supplies to the EU, although the supply on the world market remains quite large. In October, Russian Railways stopped coordinating shipments to Baltic ports, which made it difficult to export products to Kazakhstan. An alternative route through Belarus to the port of Klaipeda (Lithuania) increases logistics costs by $15-20/t. In addition, there are risks of restrictions on the operation of Baltic ports in the winter and a possible increase in the cost of road transport in Poland after the new year by 12-15% due to the end of the state fuel price support program.

Over the past 10 weeks, the cost of sea freight for transportation from the Black Sea region has doubled, and war risk insurance has quadrupled, making deliveries from Ukraine and Moldova impractical even against the backdrop of competitive flax prices. In Poland, brown oil flax is offered at €650-670/t EXW, and golden flax at €960-980/t.

The largest importer of oilseed flax in the EU remains Belgium, which increased its imports by 126.6% to 134.03 thousand tons. Second place is occupied by Poland, which reduced purchases by 30% to 20.26 thousand tons. France increased imports by 81.7% to 4.56 thousand tons, Italy by 31.5% to 4.38 thousand tons, Germany by 19.5% to 3.5 thousand tons.

Experts do not rule out a further increase in flax prices due to logistical problems, which could create a local deficit in the EU even against the backdrop of sufficient global supply.