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.
U.S. Linseed Production was 61.47 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 18.3% on 2023. The United States linseed production sector experienced a declining trend between 2015 and 2024, reflecting changes in agricultural priorities, market conditions, and competition from alternative oilseed crops.
U.S. Linseed Production moved from 256.4 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 61.47 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−76%), an average of −14.7% a year. The series high was 256.4 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the low 61.47 Thousand Tonnes in 2024.
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2024) is 195 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −58.6% in 2017.
Among the 23 countries in this dataset, U.S. ranks 7 for 2024, behind Kazakhstan (759.6 Thousand Tonnes) and China (280 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 2% 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 | 61.47 | −18.3% |
| 2023 | 75.21 | −30.9% |
| 2022 | 108.8 | +54.7% |
| 2021 | 70.31 | −51.5% |
| 2020 | 144.9 | +1.4% |
| 2019 | 142.9 | +26% |
| 2018 | 113.4 | +16.2% |
| 2017 | 97.59 | −58.6% |
| 2016 | 235.6 | −8.1% |
| 2015Peak | 256.4 | — |
Regional context
Linseed Production by country, 2024, Thousand Tonnes. U.S. 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 production data, output decreased significantly from approximately 256.42 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 61.47 thousand tonnes in 2024, representing a substantial reduction in production volumes over the decade. The decline was mainly influenced by reduced cultivation areas, changing farmer preferences, fluctuations in commodity prices, production costs, and increasing focus on crops with stronger commercial returns. Despite the decline, linseed remains an important specialty oilseed crop within the U.S. agricultural industry due to its wide range of applications in edible oils, nutritional supplements, animal feed, industrial coatings, paints, varnishes, and sustainable bio-based materials. The United States benefits from advanced agricultural infrastructure, modern farming technologies, mechanized cultivation systems, and established supply networks that support efficient linseed production in suitable regions. Production fluctuations throughout the period highlight the influence of climatic conditions, yield performance, input availability, and global market trends on annual output levels. Linseed cultivation also contributes to crop diversification and supports opportunities for sustainable agricultural practices through crop rotation benefits. However, competition from major oilseed crops such as soybean, sunflower, and canola has limited the expansion of linseed cultivation due to differences in profitability and market demand. Increasing consumer interest in plant-based nutrition, functional foods, organic ingredients, and environmentally friendly industrial products may create future opportunities for the sector. Overall, U.S. linseed production between 2015 and 2024 reflects a declining but strategically important segment of the agricultural economy. Future growth will depend on improved crop economics, development of high-yielding varieties, enhanced farmer adoption, stronger domestic demand, and expansion of value-added linseed applications 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.
U.S. Linseed Production was 61.47 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 18.3% on 2023.
U.S. Linseed Production moved from 256.4 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 61.47 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−76%), an average of −14.7% a year. The series high was 256.4 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the low 61.47 Thousand Tonnes in 2024.
The highest value was 256.4 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the lowest was 61.47 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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