Flax, raw or retted production in Belgium
In 2024 Belgium produced 91,990 t of flax, raw or retted, the 2nd largest in the world (7.11% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 26%. The record was 94,000 t in 2019. Area harvested: 18,690 ha, yield 4.9 t/ha.
- Production, 2024
- 91,990 t
- World rank
- 2 of 17
- 10-year change
- +26%
- Record
- 94,000 t
- 2019
Flax, raw or retted in Belgium, 2000–2024 (tonnes)
Belgium compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 7.1%
- 9.5% in 2014
- Yield, t/ha
- 4.9
- world 4.6 (+7.3%)
- kg per person
- 7.84
- world 0.16
- 10-year change
- +26%
- world +69%
Position in the world ranking
Map of world production of flax, raw or retted
Share of the world total; Belgium is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change | Area harvested, ha | Yield, t/ha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 91,990 | +52% | 18,690 | 4.92 |
| 2023 | 60,610 | −22% | 14,810 | 4.09 |
| 2022 | 77,910 | −10% | 15,150 | 5.14 |
| 2021 | 87,000 | +6.5% | 15,390 | 5.65 |
| 2020 | 81,660 | −13% | 18,380 | 4.44 |
| 2019 | 94,000 | +24% | 14,830 | 6.34 |
| 2018 | 75,860 | +9.4% | 14,720 | 5.15 |
| 2017 | 69,341 | −20% | 15,957 | 4.35 |
| 2016 | 87,162 | +8.3% | 15,095 | 5.77 |
| 2015 | 80,460 | +11% | 13,860 | 5.81 |
| 2014 | 72,800 | +8.2% | 11,600 | 6.28 |
| 2013 | 67,300 | +4.5% | 10,000 | 6.73 |
| 2012 | 64,402 | +45% | 10,581 | 6.09 |
| 2011 | 44,554 | −30% | 11,286 | 3.95 |
| 2010 | 64,044 | +380% | 11,000 | 5.82 |
| 2009 | 13,330 | +9.5% | 11,277 | 1.18 |
| 2008 | 12,170 | −14% | 11,914 | 1.02 |
| 2007 | 14,170 | −14% | 14,297 | 0.99 |
| 2006 | 16,500 | −11% | 15,500 | 1.06 |
| 2005 | 18,505 | −17% | 19,031 | 0.97 |
| 2004 | 22,215 | −8.3% | 20,407 | 1.09 |
| 2003 | 24,230 | +25% | 20,047 | 1.21 |
| 2002 | 19,440 | +139% | 16,015 | 1.21 |
| 2001 | 8,150 | −50% | 17,401 | 0.47 |
| 2000 | 16,200 | — | 13,561 | 1.19 |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 1,653 t USD 2.5 m
- Exporter rank
- 4 of 16
- Imports
- 23,789 t USD 19.4 m
- Importer rank
- 1 of 24
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of flax, raw or retted in Belgium?
Belgium produced 91,990 t in 2024, 7.1% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Belgium rank in the world for production of flax, raw or retted?
Belgium ranked 2nd of 17 countries in 2024. The largest producer was France with 81.9% of the world total.
How has the production of flax, raw or retted in Belgium changed?
It rose by 26% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +69% for the world. The record was 94,000 t in 2019.
What is the yield of flax, raw or retted in Belgium?
4.9 tonnes per hectare in 2024 (91,990 t from 18,690 ha), against a world average of 4.6 t/ha.
Does Belgium export or import flax, raw or retted?
In 2024 Belgium reported exports of 1,653 t (USD 2.5 m) and imports of 23,789 t (USD 19.4 m), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.