Flax, raw or retted production in United Kingdom
In 2024 United Kingdom produced 14,500 t of flax, raw or retted, the 7th largest in the world (1.12% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 3.2%. The record was 29,000 t in 1997. Area harvested: 9,900 ha, yield 1.5 t/ha.
The 2024 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Production, 2024
- 14,500 t
- World rank
- 7 of 17
- 10-year change
- −3.2%
- Record
- 29,000 t
- 1997
Flax, raw or retted in United Kingdom, 1992–2024 (tonnes)
United Kingdom compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 1.1%
- 2.0% in 2014
- Yield, t/ha
- 1.5
- world 4.6 (−68%)
- kg per person
- 0.21
- world 0.16
- 10-year change
- −3.2%
- world +69%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Russia | 24,100 | 1.9% |
| 6 | Netherlands | 19,470 | 1.5% |
| 7 | United Kingdom | 14,500 | 1.1% |
| 8 | Egypt | 7,700 | 0.60% |
| 9 | Chile | 3,100 | 0.24% |
Map of world production of flax, raw or retted
Share of the world total; United Kingdom is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change | Area harvested, ha | Yield, t/ha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14,500 | 0.0% | 9,900 | 1.46 |
| 2023 | 14,500 | +0.2% | 9,900 | 1.46 |
| 2022 | 14,472 | +0.4% | 9,942 | 1.46 |
| 2021 | 14,421 | −0.8% | 9,880 | 1.46 |
| 2020 | 14,530 | +0.5% | 9,952 | 1.46 |
| 2019 | 14,464 | +1.4% | 9,995 | 1.45 |
| 2018 | 14,269 | −4.0% | 9,693 | 1.47 |
| 2017 | 14,858 | +4.1% | 10,167 | 1.46 |
| 2016 | 14,266 | −6.9% | 10,125 | 1.41 |
| 2015 | 15,320 | +2.2% | 9,876 | 1.55 |
| 2014 | 14,987 | +7.1% | 10,500 | 1.43 |
| 2013 | 14,000 | +1.3% | 10,000 | 1.40 |
| 2012 | 13,825 | +0.4% | 9,350 | 1.48 |
| 2011 | 13,776 | −5.0% | 10,409 | 1.32 |
| 2010 | 14,499 | −14% | 11,021 | 1.32 |
| 2009 | 16,840 | −3.6% | 11,447 | 1.47 |
| 2008 | 17,472 | −0.2% | 11,882 | 1.47 |
| 2007 | 17,500 | −2.8% | 11,907 | 1.47 |
| 2006 | 18,000 | −9.9% | 12,000 | 1.50 |
| 2005 | 19,985 | −6.3% | 13,571 | 1.47 |
| 2004 | 21,330 | −6.0% | 14,451 | 1.48 |
| 2003 | 22,680 | −17% | 15,331 | 1.48 |
| 2002 | 27,179 | +5.7% | 18,336 | 1.48 |
| 2001 | 25,709 | −8.2% | 17,267 | 1.49 |
| 2000 | 28,000 | +28% | 18,000 | 1.56 |
| 1999 | 21,791 | −13% | 15,000 | 1.45 |
| 1998 | 25,000 | −14% | 16,700 | 1.50 |
| 1997 | 29,000 | +38% | 19,000 | 1.53 |
| 1996 | 21,000 | +75% | 17,000 | 1.24 |
| 1995 | 12,000 | −46% | 11,000 | 1.09 |
| 1994 | 22,200 | +708% | 17,700 | 1.25 |
| 1993 | 2,748 | +1,295% | 2,188 | 1.26 |
| 1992 | 197 | — | 143 | 1.38 |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 1,728 t USD 305,000
- Exporter rank
- 3 of 16
- Imports
- 130 t USD 61,000
- Importer rank
- 9 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 United Kingdom?
United Kingdom produced 14,500 t in 2024, 1.1% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does United Kingdom rank in the world for production of flax, raw or retted?
United Kingdom ranked 7th 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 United Kingdom changed?
It fell by 3.2% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +69% for the world. The record was 29,000 t in 1997.
What is the yield of flax, raw or retted in United Kingdom?
1.5 tonnes per hectare in 2024 (14,500 t from 9,900 ha), against a world average of 4.6 t/ha.
Does United Kingdom export or import flax, raw or retted?
In 2024 United Kingdom reported exports of 1,728 t (USD 305,000) and imports of 130 t (USD 61,000), 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; the 2024 figure for United Kingdom is estimated by FAO. 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.