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.
South America Linseed Production was 36.47 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 1.3% on 2023. South America maintained a modest but consistent presence in global linseed production between 2015 and 2024, with output primarily concentrated in Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. Regional production reflected annual fluctuations driven by changing harvested areas, weather conditions, and agricultural productivity, while overall cultivation remained relatively stable throughout the decade.
South America Linseed Production moved from 39.32 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 36.47 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−7.2%), an average of −0.8% a year. The series high was 42.31 Thousand Tonnes in 2022 and the low 21.54 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
The gap between the series high (2022) and low (2019) is 20.77 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +66.7% in 2022.
Within South America, Argentina has the highest value in 2024 at 25.00 Thousand Tonnes, 68.5% of the regional total.
Country ranking
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By region
Thousand Tonnes, 2024. Each bar is that region's total.
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 | 36.47 | −1.3% |
| 2023 | 36.96 | −12.7% |
| 2022Peak | 42.31 | +66.7% |
| 2021 | 25.38 | −18.4% |
| 2020 | 31.11 | +44.4% |
| 2019 Trough | 21.54 | −35.2% |
| 2018 | 33.26 | +21.3% |
| 2017 | 27.42 | −26.2% |
| 2016 | 37.15 | −5.5% |
| 2015 | 39.32 | — |
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.
Argentina was the largest producer in the region, consistently contributing the highest production volumes despite noticeable year-to-year variation. Annual output ranged from approximately 10 thousand to 25 thousand tonnes, demonstrating the country's established role in regional linseed cultivation. Brazil remained the second-largest producer, although production gradually declined from around 12 thousand tonnes in 2015 to less than 4 thousand tonnes by 2024, indicating reduced cultivation or changing agricultural priorities. Chile maintained comparatively small but highly stable production, consistently recording annual output of around 1.3 to 1.4 thousand tonnes throughout the period.
Production from the remaining South American countries also contributed to regional supply, although combined output varied considerably over the decade. These countries collectively produced between approximately 21 thousand and 42 thousand tonnes, with stronger production observed in 2022 and 2023 following lower levels during earlier years. Such fluctuations reflected the influence of climatic conditions, cropping decisions, and productivity changes across the region.
Overall, South America's linseed industry remained resilient despite varying production trends among individual countries. Argentina continued to anchor regional production, while Brazil and Chile provided consistent support through their respective agricultural sectors. The region benefited from favourable farming conditions, established cultivation practices, and continued adaptation to changing environmental factors. Although South America represents a relatively small share of global linseed production, its diversified production base and stable long-term output reinforce its role as an important regional supplier 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.
South America Linseed Production was 36.47 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 1.3% on 2023.
South America Linseed Production moved from 39.32 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 36.47 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−7.2%), an average of −0.8% a year. The series high was 42.31 Thousand Tonnes in 2022 and the low 21.54 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
The highest value was 42.31 Thousand Tonnes in 2022 and the lowest was 21.54 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
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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