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.
Ethiopia Linseed Production was 82.00 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, up 1.2% on 2023. Ethiopia’s linseed production sector remained an important component of the country’s oilseed agricultural landscape between 2015 and 2024, supported by suitable agro-climatic conditions, traditional farming knowledge, and increasing recognition of linseed’s economic value.
Ethiopia Linseed Production moved from 97.61 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 82.00 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−16%), an average of −1.9% a year. The series high was 97.61 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the low 45.07 Thousand Tonnes in 2022.
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2022) is 52.54 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +79.7% in 2023.
Among the 23 countries in this dataset, Ethiopia ranks 5 for 2024, behind Kazakhstan (759.6 Thousand Tonnes) and China (280 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 2.7% 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 | 82.00 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | 81.00 | +79.7% |
| 2022 Trough | 45.07 | −44.5% |
| 2021 | 81.23 | +1% |
| 2020 | 80.46 | +1% |
| 2019 | 79.69 | −17.6% |
| 2018 | 96.69 | +9.6% |
| 2017 | 88.21 | +0.3% |
| 2016 | 87.91 | −9.9% |
| 2015Peak | 97.61 | — |
Regional context
Linseed Production by country, 2024, Thousand Tonnes. Ethiopia 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.
According to the available production data, output declined from approximately 97.61 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 82 thousand tonnes in 2024, with fluctuations throughout the decade caused by changes in cultivated area, weather conditions, agricultural productivity, and market dynamics. Linseed is one of Ethiopia’s important oilseed crops and plays a significant role in supporting rural livelihoods, particularly among smallholder farmers who depend on diversified crop production systems. The crop is valued for its applications in edible oils, nutritional products, traditional food uses, animal feed, and industrial materials. Ethiopia’s highland regions provide favourable growing conditions for linseed due to suitable temperatures, soil characteristics, and farming environments. Production performance during the period was influenced by rainfall variability, access to improved seeds, availability of agricultural inputs, farming techniques, post-harvest management practices, and domestic and international demand. Despite strong production potential, Ethiopia’s linseed industry faces challenges such as limited mechanization, inadequate processing facilities, infrastructure constraints, limited access to advanced technologies, and market fluctuations. Expanding value-added processing, improving storage facilities, strengthening farmer support programs, and promoting improved cultivation practices could significantly enhance the competitiveness of the sector. Increasing global demand for natural oils, organic agricultural products, plant-based ingredients, and sustainable materials provides Ethiopia with opportunities to expand its linseed market presence. Overall, Ethiopia’s linseed production between 2015 and 2024 reflects a strategically important agricultural sector with strong traditional foundations and future growth potential. The industry’s development depends on improving productivity, strengthening supply chains, supporting smallholder farmers, enhancing export capabilities, and increasing the utilization of linseed products across food, health, and industrial markets.
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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.
Ethiopia Linseed Production was 82.00 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, up 1.2% on 2023.
Ethiopia Linseed Production moved from 97.61 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 82.00 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−16%), an average of −1.9% a year. The series high was 97.61 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the low 45.07 Thousand Tonnes in 2022.
The highest value was 97.61 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the lowest was 45.07 Thousand Tonnes in 2022.
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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