Wedoany.com Report-Jun 5, In 2025, Kazakhstan plans to expand linseed cultivation to 1 million hectares, responding to strong demand from the European Union. The Grain Union of Kazakhstan has released updated data on linseed exports for the first eight months of the 2024/25 marketing year (August–March), highlighting trends and challenges in the sector.

In April, Kazakhstan exported 35.4 thousand tons of linseed, a drop of 13.1 thousand tons from March. Yevgeny Karabanov, Head of the Analytics Committee of the Grain Union of Kazakhstan, explained: “The decline in exports is attributed to low commodity stocks.” He added: “However, this season, we are witnessing export growth to nearly all countries, largely due to the low export base from the previous MY, caused by a poor linseed harvest in Kazakhstan in 2023.” This growth reflects improved production and market opportunities.

The expansion of linseed cultivation to 1 million hectares in 2025 is driven by robust EU demand and high market prices, with EXW prices ranging from 300-305 thousand tenge per ton (588-598 USD per ton). The EU’s decision to impose a 20% duty on Russian linseed, set to increase to 50% in 2025, alongside Canada’s projected linseed output of under 230 thousand tons, creates favorable conditions for Kazakhstan. These factors position Kazakhstan as a key supplier to the EU, where annual linseed imports reach approximately 600 thousand tons.

For the first eight months of the 2024/25 marketing year, Russian linseed exports to the EU totaled 167 thousand tons, accounting for over 44% of the EU’s 378 thousand-ton linseed import market. The Grain Union noted: “Only Kazakhstan is positioned to effectively replace Russian linseed supplies to the EU. The significant increase in Kazakh linseed exports to the EU compared to the previous MY is already evident.” This shift underscores Kazakhstan’s growing role in meeting EU demand.

As Russian linseed exports face higher EU duties, they are expected to redirect to markets like China and Turkey. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan’s linseed export forecast for the 2024/25 marketing year remains stable at 500 thousand tons, reflecting confidence in sustained production and export capacity.