Linseed production refers to the annual agricultural output of linseed (also known as flaxseed), a crop primarily cultivated for its oil-rich seeds and fibre content.
Canada Linseed Production was 258 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 5.4% on 2023. Canada remained one of the most important linseed-producing countries globally during the period 2015–2024, supported by favourable climatic conditions, extensive agricultural land availability, and a strong oilseed farming tradition. However, production declined considerably from approximately 943.1 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 257.97 thousand tonnes in 2024, representing a significant decrease over the decade.
Canada Linseed Production moved from 943.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 258 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−72.6%), an average of −13.4% a year. The series high was 943.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the low 258 Thousand Tonnes in 2024.
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2024) is 685.1 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −42.6% in 2016.
Among the 23 countries in this dataset, Canada ranks 3 for 2024, behind Kazakhstan (759.6 Thousand Tonnes) and China (280 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 8.6% of the global total in 2024.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Thousand Tonnes.
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| Year | Thousand Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Trough | 258 | −5.4% |
| 2023 | 272.7 | −42.4% |
| 2022 | 473.2 | +40.6% |
| 2021 | 336.6 | −41.8% |
| 2020 | 578.1 | +18.9% |
| 2019 | 486.1 | −1.3% |
| 2018 | 492.4 | −11.3% |
| 2017 | 555.1 | +2.5% |
| 2016 | 541.4 | −42.6% |
| 2015Peak | 943.1 | — |
Regional context
Linseed Production by country, 2024, Thousand Tonnes. Canada is highlighted.
Data definition
Linseed Production — Linseed production refers to the annual agricultural output of linseed (also known as flaxseed), a crop primarily cultivated for its oil-rich seeds and fibre content. The indicator measures the total quantity of linseed harvested from cultivated areas within a country or region during a specific year. Linseed is an important oilseed crop used in the production of edible oils, industrial oils, animal feed, nutritional products, and various industrial applications such as paints, coatings, and bio-based materials. The production data represents the harvested output volume of linseed and is generally measured in tonnes.
The Linseed Production indicator includes the total harvested quantity of linseed seeds produced through agricultural cultivation activities. It covers production from commercial farms, smallholder farms, and other agricultural operations growing linseed for food, oil extraction, industrial applications, and other uses. The indicator accounts for annual production volumes generated from cultivated linseed areas, including variations caused by changes in planted area, crop yields, farming practices, climatic conditions, and agricultural productivity improvements.
The Linseed Production indicator excludes the production of other oilseed crops such as sunflower, soybean, rapeseed, and sesame, as well as flax fibre production from flax plants cultivated specifically for textile applications. It does not include processed linseed products such as linseed oil, flaxseed meal, supplements, or other downstream products derived from linseed. The indicator also excludes imports, exports, trade volumes, consumption levels, and stock changes, focusing only on the quantity of linseed harvested and produced within agricultural boundaries.
Linseed Production — Linseed production refers to the annual agricultural output of linseed (also known as flaxseed), a crop primarily cultivated for its oil-rich seeds and fibre content. The indicator measures the total quantity of linseed harvested from cultivated areas within a country or region during a specific year. Linseed is an important oilseed crop used in the production of edible oils, industrial oils, animal feed, nutritional products, and various industrial applications such as paints, coatings, and bio-based materials. The production data represents the harvested output volume of linseed and is generally measured in tonnes.
The decline was influenced by several factors, including changes in crop rotation practices, shifting agricultural priorities, market price fluctuations, weather variability, and increased farmer preference for alternative crops with higher economic returns. Despite this reduction, Canada continues to hold a significant position in the global linseed industry due to its large-scale farming operations, export capabilities, and advanced agricultural infrastructure. The Prairie provinces remain key cultivation areas because of their suitable soil conditions and climate for linseed production. Canadian farmers utilize modern agricultural technologies, improved seed varieties, and efficient crop management practices to maintain productivity and competitiveness. Linseed remains valuable due to its applications in edible oils, omega-rich nutritional products, animal feed, industrial oils, coatings, and environmentally sustainable materials. Production variations during the decade indicate the influence of cultivated area changes, yield performance, climatic conditions, and international market demand. Although output has declined, Canada continues to contribute significantly to global linseed supply chains. The future outlook for the Canadian linseed industry depends on market diversification, improved production efficiency, increased value-added processing, and rising demand for natural oilseed products. Overall, Canada’s linseed production trend reflects a transition toward optimized cultivation while maintaining its role as a major global producer and exporter of linseed.
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Linseed production refers to the annual agricultural output of linseed (also known as flaxseed), a crop primarily cultivated for its oil-rich seeds and fibre content. The indicator measures the total quantity of linseed harvested from cultivated areas within a country or region during a specific year. Linseed is an important oilseed crop used in the production of edible oils, industrial oils, animal feed, nutritional products, and various industrial applications such as paints, coatings, and bio-based materials. The production data represents the harvested output volume of linseed and is generally measured in tonnes.
Canada Linseed Production was 258 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 5.4% on 2023.
Canada Linseed Production moved from 943.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 258 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−72.6%), an average of −13.4% a year. The series high was 943.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the low 258 Thousand Tonnes in 2024.
The highest value was 943.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the lowest was 258 Thousand Tonnes in 2024.
Included: The Linseed Production indicator includes the total harvested quantity of linseed seeds produced through agricultural cultivation activities. It covers production from commercial farms, smallholder farms, and other agricultural operations growing linseed for food, oil extraction, industrial applications, and other uses. The indicator accounts for annual production volumes generated from cultivated linseed areas, including variations caused by changes in planted area, crop yields, farming practices, climatic conditions, and agricultural productivity improvements. Excluded: The Linseed Production indicator excludes the production of other oilseed crops such as sunflower, soybean, rapeseed, and sesame, as well as flax fibre production from flax plants cultivated specifically for textile applications. It does not include processed linseed products such as linseed oil, flaxseed meal, supplements, or other downstream products derived from linseed. The indicator also excludes imports, exports, trade volumes, consumption levels, and stock changes, focusing only on the quantity of linseed harvested and produced within agricultural boundaries.
The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?tab=table&overlay=download-data&Food=Linseed&Metric=Production&Per+capita=false&country=USA~DEU~FRA~GBR~BRA~ZAF%3BhideControls). It covers 2015–2024 and is reported in Thousand Tonnes.
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