Data on the export of flax seeds for September-May 2025/26 MY was released by the Grain Union of Kazakhstan. According to Union analyst Evgeny Karabanov, never in history has Kazakhstan exported so many flax seeds, APK Novosti agency reports.
“According to the Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan, exports of flax seeds from Kazakhstan in May amounted to 71.3 thousand tons, decreasing by 39% compared to April. For 9 months (September - May) of 2025/26 MY, the export of flax seeds from Kazakhstan amounted to an absolutely record 1 million 076.6 thousand tons, which is 2.38 times more than the same period of the last MY and 2.05 times higher than the total export volume of the entire last MY. Never in history has Kazakhstan exported so much flax seeds,” said E. Karabanov.
Compared to the same period last year, exports to EU countries increased significantly:
Belgium - 309.5 thousand tons (1.82 times);
Poland - 97.2 thousand tons (3.5 times);
Germany - 11.9 thousand tons (by 13%);
Czech Republic - 10.9 thousand tons (3.2 times);
Lithuania - 8.7 thousand tons (1.55 times);
Netherlands - 6.1 thousand tons (7.6 times);
Estonia - 42 thousand tons (0 in the last MY);
Italy - 7.6 thousand tons (38 times).
This is due to an increase in the EU import customs duty on Russian flax in 2025 to 20% and from 2026 to 50%.
Compared to the same period last year, supplies of flax seeds to other countries also increased:
Afghanistan - 107.6 thousand tons (3 times);
China - 429.1 thousand tons (almost 2.5 times);
Pakistan - 5.1 thousand tons (+6%);
Uzbekistan - 15.6 thousand tons (+15.5%);
Tajikistan - 8.6 thousand tons (1.95 times);
Turkey - 4.4 thousand tons (+19%).
The two main buyers of Kazakh flax, Belgium - 28% of total exports and China - 40%, provided 68% of total exports for 9 months. current MY.
According to Chinese customs statistics, flax imports to China for 10 months (August-May) of 2025/26 MY amounted to 1 million 257 thousand tons, which is 53% higher than the same period last MY.
At the same time, the share of Russian flax in total Chinese imports for August-May of the current MY amounted to 58% (726.7 thousand tons), the share of Kazakh flax in total Chinese imports amounted to 30.8% (386.7 thousand tons). For 10 months of 2024/25 MY, the share of Russian flax imports to China was 75.2% (619.4 thousand tons), and Kazakh flax 21% (173.1 thousand tons).
According to the DG AGRI TAXUD Customs Surveillance System, flax imports to the EU for 12 months (from 07/01/2025 to 06/28/2026) amounted to 683.7 thousand tons, which is 17% higher than the same period last MY.
The share of Kazakh flax in total imports was 72% (495.2 thousand tons), the share of Russian flax was 12.3% (84.1 thousand tons). At the same time, compared to the same period of the last MY, imports of flax from Kazakhstan increased by 88%, while those from Russia fell by 50% - the effect of EU import customs duties.
“The export of Kazakh flax seeds is setting absolute records, especially in the direction of the EU and China. Kazakhstan is the undisputed leader in the supply of flax seeds to the EU and No. 2 to China.
Due to active exports and increased imports of flax from Russia to Kazakhstan, we are once again increasing the previous forecast for the export of Kazakh flax seeds in the current MY to 1.25 million tons by 100 thousand tons.
Thus, exports for 9 months of 2025/26 MY took place at 86% of the forecast annual export potential,” summed up E. Karabanov.