Lower over the period
China Linseed Production moved from 399.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 280 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−29.9%), an average of −3.9% a year. The series high was 399.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the low 260 Thousand Tonnes in 2023.
What China Linseed Production shows
China Linseed Production was 280 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, up 7.7% on 2023. China remained an important contributor to global linseed production during the period 2015–2024, supported by its extensive agricultural resources, diverse climatic conditions, and large domestic market for oilseed products.
A 34.9% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2023) is 139.6 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −20.6% in 2022.
Ranks 2 of 23 countries covered
Among the 23 countries in this dataset, China ranks 2 for 2024, behind Kazakhstan (759.6 Thousand Tonnes) and Canada (258 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 9.3% of the global total in 2024.
Full series
China Linseed Production by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Thousand Tonnes.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Thousand Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 280 | +7.7% |
| 2023 Trough | 260 | −3.7% |
| 2022 | 270 | −20.6% |
| 2021 | 340 | +3% |
| 2020 | 330 | −2.9% |
| 2019 | 340 | −7.1% |
| 2018 | 366 | +0.8% |
| 2017 | 363 | −1.5% |
| 2016 | 368.5 | −7.8% |
| 2015Peak | 399.6 | — |
Regional context
How China compares in Asia
Linseed Production by country, 2024, Thousand Tonnes. China is highlighted.
1Kazakhstan759.6
2China280
3India112.7
4Afghanistan27.82
5Turkey0.188
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
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.
About this indicator
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.
According to the available production data, linseed output declined from approximately 399.62 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 280 thousand tonnes in 2024, with fluctuations occurring throughout the decade due to changes in cultivation patterns, market conditions, and agricultural priorities. Despite the decline, China continues to maintain a significant position in the international linseed industry due to its large farming base, established agricultural supply chains, and growing demand for nutritional and industrial applications. Linseed cultivation is concentrated in regions with suitable climatic and soil conditions, where farmers utilize traditional knowledge combined with modern agricultural practices to improve production efficiency. The crop contributes to multiple industries, including edible oil production, functional foods, nutritional supplements, animal feed, traditional applications, and industrial materials. Production variations during the period were influenced by factors such as cultivated area adjustments, weather conditions, crop profitability, agricultural policies, and competition from other oilseed crops. China’s agricultural modernization programs, technological advancements, and research initiatives have supported improvements in crop management and productivity. Increasing consumer awareness regarding healthy diets, omega-rich ingredients, and plant-based products has created additional opportunities for expanding linseed utilization. However, challenges including market price fluctuations, changing land-use patterns, production costs, and competition from alternative crops continue to affect industry growth. Overall, China’s linseed production between 2015 and 2024 demonstrates a strategically important agricultural sector with strong production capacity. Future development depends on enhancing cultivation efficiency, improving value-added processing, expanding domestic consumption, and strengthening the integration of linseed into food, health, and sustainable industrial markets.
- Indicator
- Linseed Production
- Country
- China
- Region
- Asia
- Unit
- Thousand Tonnes
- Coverage
- 2015–2024, annual
- Category
- Agriculture
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- Our World in Data
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Frequently asked questions
What is China 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.
What was China Linseed Production in 2024?
China Linseed Production was 280 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, up 7.7% on 2023.
How has China Linseed Production changed between 2015 and 2024?
China Linseed Production moved from 399.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 280 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−29.9%), an average of −3.9% a year. The series high was 399.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the low 260 Thousand Tonnes in 2023.
Which year had the highest and lowest China Linseed Production?
The highest value was 399.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the lowest was 260 Thousand Tonnes in 2023.
What does the China Linseed Production data include and exclude?
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.
Where does the China Linseed Production data come from?
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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