Flax tow and waste trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in flax tow and waste was worth $359.9 million in 2024, about 276.6 thousand tonnes. That is an increase of 210% since 2017, and up 48% on 2023.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
World trade by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $359.9M | 276.6K t |
| 2023 | $243.4M | 262.7K t |
| 2022 | $203.8M | 240.2K t |
| 2021 | $196.6M | 222.9K t |
| 2020 | $149.4M | 191.6K t |
| 2019 | $162.6M | 210.0K t |
| 2018 | $171.3M | 169.0K t |
| 2017 | $116.0M | 194.3K t |
Top flax tow and waste exporting countries
Exports are led by France (41%), Belgium (30%) and Belarus (6%). 60 countries reported exports, and the top three account for 77%.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| France | $146.6M | 41% |
| Belgium | $109.7M | 31% |
| Belarus | $22.1M | 6.1% |
| Vietnam | $17.9M | 5% |
| Russia | $15.6M | 4.3% |
| Egypt | $13.9M | 3.9% |
| Ethiopia | $10.9M | 3% |
| Netherlands | $6.6M | 1.8% |
| Lithuania | $6.3M | 1.7% |
| Poland | $4.1M | 1.2% |
| Latvia | $1.3M | 0.4% |
| China | $923K | 0.3% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
The largest importers are China (49%), Belgium (23%) and France (8%). 96 countries imported it, and the top three take 81% of the value.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $178.1M | 50% |
| Belgium | $82.3M | 23% |
| France | $30.2M | 8.4% |
| Netherlands | $14.1M | 3.9% |
| Germany | $11.7M | 3.2% |
| United States | $11.1M | 3.1% |
| Vietnam | $4.8M | 1.3% |
| Lithuania | $4.8M | 1.3% |
| Spain | $4.5M | 1.3% |
| India | $3.5M | 1% |
| Poland | $3.3M | 0.9% |
| Latvia | $1.4M | 0.4% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $1.30 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Ethiopia averaged $5.63 per kg and France $1.07 per kg, so grade and origin matter.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments worldwide. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Related product types
Who is behind these numbers in this market?
The shipment records behind Flax tow and waste (HS 5301.30) importers and exporters, worldwide: companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 5301.30: Flax: tow and waste, including yarn waste and garnetted stock. HS 5301 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most flax tow and waste?
France exported $146.6 million in 2024, 41% of the world total, followed by Belgium (30%) and Belarus (6%). In all, 60 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most flax tow and waste?
China imported $178.1 million in 2024, 49% of world imports, ahead of Belgium (23%) and France (8%). The top three importers together take 81%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in flax tow and waste?
It was worth $359.9 million in 2024, about 276.6 thousand tonnes. That is an increase of 210% since 2017. 2024 was the highest year since 2017. 60 countries reported exports and 96 reported imports.
What is the average price of flax tow and waste per kg?
The world average declared value was about $1.30 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Ethiopia averaged $5.63 per kg and France $1.07 per kg, so grade and origin matter. Read it as a benchmark: it blends all grades, origins and contract terms.
What is the HS code for flax tow and waste?
The HS code for flax tow and waste is subheading 5301.30, in chapter 53 (vegetable textile fibres; paper yarn and woven fabrics of paper yarn). The first six digits are the same in every country; national tariffs add more. The full list of codes is on the HS 5301 page.
How can I find flax tow and waste buyers and suppliers?
Company names sit below these country totals: EximDataX reads the customs records shipment by shipment, with dates and values. We can show flax tow and waste buyers and suppliers on a short call.
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Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.