Kazakh Flax Exports to China and Europe Reach Record Highs

From September to May of the 2025/26 marketing year, Kazakhstan exported 1.0766 million tonnes of flaxseed, setting a new national record. This volume is 2.38 times higher than in the same period of the previous season and 2.05 times greater than the total exports recorded during the entire previous marketing year. The increase was primarily driven by stronger shipments to China and European countries, according to Yevgeny Karabanov, Head of the Analytics Committee of the Grain Union of Kazakhstan.

Amid robust export activity and growing imports of Russian flax into Kazakhstan, the Grain Union of Kazakhstan has revised its export forecast for Kazakh flaxseed upward. The projected export volume for the current marketing year has been increased by 100,000 tonnes to 1.25 million tonnes.

According to Yevgeny Karabanov, flaxseed exports declined by 39% in May compared to April, totaling 71,300 tonnes. Nevertheless, cumulative exports since the beginning of the season remain at a record-high level.

Exports to European markets posted significant growth. Shipments to Belgium reached 309,500 tonnes, up 1.82 times year-on-year. Exports to Poland increased 3.5-fold to 97,200 tonnes, while deliveries to Germany rose by 13% to 11,900 tonnes.

Exports to the Czech Republic grew 3.2 times to 10,900 tonnes. Shipments to Lithuania increased 1.55-fold to 8,700 tonnes. Exports to the Netherlands reached 6,100 tonnes, 7.6 times higher than in the previous season. Kazakhstan exported 42,000 tonnes to Estonia, compared to no shipments during the previous marketing year. Deliveries to Italy surged 38-fold to 7,600 tonnes.

Yevgeny Karabanov explained that the growth in Kazakhstan's exports is linked to a decline in Russian flax supplies. Earlier, the European Union increased import duties on Russian flax to 20% in 2025 and plans to raise them further to 50% starting in 2026.

Exports of Kazakh flaxseed to other destinations also expanded this season. Shipments to Afghanistan tripled to 107,600 tonnes. Exports to China nearly increased 2.5 times, reaching 429,100 tonnes. Deliveries to Uzbekistan totaled 15,600 tonnes, up 15.5% year-on-year, while exports to Tajikistan rose 1.95 times to 8,600 tonnes.

China and Belgium remain the largest buyers of Kazakh flaxseed. China accounts for 40% of total exports, while Belgium represents 28%.

Between August and May, Kazakhstan's share of China's total flax imports reached 30.8%, or 386,700 tonnes. Russian flax accounted for 58%, or 726,700 tonnes. During the same period of the 2024/25 marketing year, Kazakhstan's share stood at 21% (173,100 tonnes), while Russia held a 75.2% share (619,400 tonnes).

In the European Union, Kazakhstan's share of total flax imports reached 72% this season, equivalent to 495,200 tonnes. Russian flax accounted for 12.3%, or 84,100 tonnes. Compared with the same period of the previous marketing year, EU imports of Kazakh flax increased by 88%, while imports from Russia declined by 50%, Yevgeny Karabanov noted.