Kazakh flaxseed prices surge in Europe amid transit restrictions

Kazakh flaxseed prices have risen sharply in the European market due to restrictions on rail transit through Russia and rising costs of alternative delivery routes. According to the Grain Union of Kazakhstan, during October 12–18, 2026, the export price of flaxseed on a C&F ARAG basis increased by $25/t to $670/t for November shipment. The main driver of the price increase was logistical difficulties limiting Kazakh exporters’ ability to supply the oilseed crop to European buyers.

The problems emerged due to congestion on Russia’s railway network caused by heavy grain shipments. In October, Russian Railways rejected both regular and additional applications from Kazakh shippers for flaxseed transportation to ports in Estonia and Latvia. The main reason was the heavy loading of Russia’s Oktyabrskaya Railway with domestic grain shipments, which reduced capacity for transit cargoes from Kazakhstan. According to Kazakh railway officials, no significant improvement in the approval of shipments is expected in November.

Exporters are being forced to consider alternative routes for flaxseed deliveries to Europe, but these involve additional costs. In particular, transportation through Belarus and Lithuanian ports costs $15–20/t more than traditional routes. Restrictions also remain in place on alternative corridors, making it difficult to redirect cargo flows. As a result, higher transportation costs are being passed on through export prices, making Kazakh flaxseed more expensive for European buyers.

Meanwhile, flaxseed prices in Kazakhstan’s domestic market remain stable. On an EXW elevator basis, seed prices stand at 180,000–185,000 tenge/t, or approximately $398–409/t. Export prices on an FCA Kazakhstan basis are also unchanged at $430–435/t. Prices for Kazakh brown flaxseed with 97% purity delivered to Poland have likewise remained stable at €495–500/t DAP. Thus, the sharpest price increases are currently being recorded on routes where logistics costs have risen significantly.

Kazakh flaxseed prices have also increased on the Chinese market, although for different reasons. Over the week, export prices on a DAP Dostyk/Altynkol basis rose by $3/t to $485–490/t. Prices were supported by stronger demand in China, where domestic prices increased by an average of 50 yuan/t. According to the Grain Union of Kazakhstan, further developments in the European market will depend primarily on the availability of transit routes and transportation costs. Continued restrictions in November could keep prices for Kazakh flaxseed delivered to Europe elevated.

Tags: Kazakhstan, prices, oilseeds, linseed