Higher over the period
UK Linseed Production moved from 29.00 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 31.04 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (+7%), an average of +0.8% a year. The series high was 71.25 Thousand Tonnes in 2021 and the low 27.00 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
What UK Linseed Production shows
UK Linseed Production was 31.04 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 14.5% on 2023. The United Kingdom’s linseed production demonstrated a relatively stable trend between 2015 and 2024, with moderate fluctuations influenced by agricultural conditions, market demand, and changes in farming practices. Production increased from approximately 29 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 31.04 thousand tonnes in 2024, indicating overall stability in cultivation activity throughout the decade.
A 62.1% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2021) and low (2019) is 44.25 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +112.5% in 2020.
Ranks 9 of 23 countries covered
Among the 23 countries in this dataset, UK ranks 9 for 2024, behind Kazakhstan (759.6 Thousand Tonnes) and China (280 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 1% of the global total in 2024.
Full series
UK 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 | 31.04 | −14.5% |
| 2023 | 36.28 | −25.5% |
| 2022 | 48.70 | −31.6% |
| 2021Peak | 71.25 | +24.2% |
| 2020 | 57.37 | +112.5% |
| 2019 Trough | 27.00 | −37.2% |
| 2018 | 43.00 | −6.5% |
| 2017 | 46.00 | −4.2% |
| 2016 | 48.00 | +65.5% |
| 2015 | 29.00 | — |
Regional context
How UK compares in Europe
Linseed Production by country, 2024, Thousand Tonnes. UK is highlighted.
1Ukraine66.16
2France39.62
3UK31.04
4Belarus7.00
5Sweden4.00
6Poland2.36
7Romania1.95
8Finland0.700
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.
Linseed remains an important specialty crop within the UK agricultural sector due to its applications in food products, animal feed, industrial oils, and sustainable material development. The country benefits from favourable temperate climatic conditions, established farming systems, advanced agricultural technology, and efficient crop management practices that support consistent linseed cultivation. Production variations observed during the period were mainly influenced by changes in cultivated area, crop yields, weather patterns, input costs, and farmer decisions regarding crop rotation strategies. Linseed cultivation also contributes to agricultural diversification by offering farmers an alternative crop that can improve soil management and provide additional income opportunities. Increasing consumer demand for healthy food ingredients, plant-based nutrition, and environmentally friendly products has supported interest in linseed-derived products. However, competition from other agricultural commodities and changing economic conditions continue to influence production decisions among farmers. Although the United Kingdom is not among the largest global linseed producers, it maintains a consistent role within regional markets through stable cultivation practices and established agricultural networks. Overall, UK linseed production between 2015 and 2024 reflects a balanced production pattern supported by sustainable farming approaches, technological improvements, and continued demand for linseed applications. Future growth potential depends on expanding market opportunities, improving farm-level profitability, and increasing utilization of linseed products across food, industrial, and environmental sectors.
- Indicator
- Linseed Production
- Country
- UK
- Region
- Europe
- 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 UK 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 UK Linseed Production in 2024?
UK Linseed Production was 31.04 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 14.5% on 2023.
How has UK Linseed Production changed between 2015 and 2024?
UK Linseed Production moved from 29.00 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 31.04 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (+7%), an average of +0.8% a year. The series high was 71.25 Thousand Tonnes in 2021 and the low 27.00 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
Which year had the highest and lowest UK Linseed Production?
The highest value was 71.25 Thousand Tonnes in 2021 and the lowest was 27.00 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
What does the UK 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 UK 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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