Free of charge

Flaxseed: “The main challenge is to keep the market growing”

January 6, 2025 at 11:00 AM , Der AUDITOR
Play report as audio

SEEHEIM/WARSAW. The year 2024 had a lot to offer: new regulations and record prices were the order of the day in many markets, and climatic extremes were noticeable in many areas. Our business partner from the flaxseed market explains how market players have been facing these hurdles and what they expect for the coming year 2025. Read the full interview here.

Which were the main difficulties faced by the flaxseed market in 2024? What has changed compared to the last two years?

Poor quality of raw materials and a deficit of raw materials with HCN <150mg/kg (hydrogen cyanide).

With several global political tensions, the war between Russia and Ukraine and the import tariffs on Russian agricultural commodities for shipments to Europe significantly increasing, will this also have an impact on the flaxseed market?

Yes, all political factors had a significant impact on the flaxseed market situation (price fluctuations, availability of raw materials, etc.) and also on logistics issues like routes of supplies from Kazakhstan.

In 2024, climate change and its impact on global commodity production was once again a major issue. How should growers and market players act to be prepared for the coming years?

I have no opinion on that, as I have no contact with growers and suppliers.

Once again commodity prices have risen significantly in many markets, some being at all-time highs or close to. Inflation and higher production costs are leaving their mark; the flaxseed market is no exception here. Do you think consumers will look for cheaper alternatives in the long run?

Consumers in the classical sense generate only a small part of the demand and the rest comes from the production sphere (business) for which flaxseed is a raw material or semi-finished product. For the final consumer, the basic criterion for his choice is the price of the product and the prices of its substitutes, the business buyer makes decisions based on more factors.

Looking at the current market situation, what challenges might the flaxseed market face in the 2025/2026 season?

The main challenge is to keep the market growing and stabilise sources of supply of raw materials.

View related articles

Go to the News Overview
Nuts
Apr 28, 2025
HANOI. Despite the import taxes on Vietnamese cashews, the USA remains the most important buyer, accounting for 22.7% of total exports. Vinacas reckons that this will remain the case in 2025.
Nuts
Apr 28, 2025
TORREÓN/REUS. Imports from Mexico may be exempt from Trump’s tariffs but US exporters are losing out in China. Demand is high. South Africa is gaining market shares.
Grains
Apr 25, 2025
BRUSSELS. Rain has improved conditions for wheat. Ukraine’s corn exports have slumped by 20%. US soybeans are holding up surprisingly well. With the euro hitting a three-and-a-half-year high against the US dollar rapeseed quotations have tumbled.
Nuts
Apr 25, 2025
ORDU. Initial estimates circulating about the extent of the frost damage for the 2025 crop are highly discouraging. The TMO has stopped selling hazelnuts and buyers are responding differently to the current market situation.