Canada nearly triples linseed exports to EU but faces competition from Kazakhstan

Canada sharply increased linseed shipments to the EU at the start of the 2026/27 season. According to European Commission data, EU countries imported 40.9 thsd tons of Canadian linseed between July 1 and August 30, almost three times the 13.9 thsd tons shipped during the same period last season. Kazakhstan remained the largest supplier, boosting exports to the EU by 84% to 63.7 thsd tons.

Total EU linseed imports in the first two months of the season reached a record 114.3 thsd tons for the period, up 48% year-on-year. The five-year average stands at around 75.7 thsd tons. Kazakhstan and Canada together accounted for more than 90% of EU imports.

Meanwhile, the outlook for Canadian production has deteriorated. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada estimated the country’s 2026 linseed crop at 350 thsd tons, down 23% from last year. Yields are forecast at 1.35 t/ha compared with an exceptionally high 1.82 t/ha in 2025. Recent rainfall could also delay harvesting.

Competition on international markets remains strong, with Kazakhstan and Russia expected to harvest a combined nearly 3 mln tons of linseed this year. At the same time, lower production in the US could generate additional demand for Canadian supplies. Canadian brown linseed prices currently remain relatively stable at around CAD 15–17/bu FOB farm.

The structure of EU supplies has also changed significantly due to a sharp decline in imports from Russia. The EU imported only 428 tons of Russian linseed in the first two months of the season, compared with 21.2 thsd tons a year earlier, a 98% drop amid import duties. Belgium was the largest EU buyer, nearly doubling its imports to 92.4 thsd tons.

Tags: Canada, linseed, Kazakhstan, export, EU