In 2025, China's flaxseed (linseed) imports reached a historic milestone: 1.12 million metric tonnes (approximately 112 wan tons), setting a new annual record and cementing the country's position as the world's largest flaxseed importer. This figure represents a significant leap from the 850,000 tonnes imported just three years earlier, driven by surging demand from China's edible oil, health food, and animal feed industries.
For international commodity traders and flaxseed suppliers, understanding who is feeding this demand — and where the supply is coming from — is essential for strategic positioning in 2026 and beyond. In this article, we analyse the supply origin breakdown, the demand drivers behind the record, and what it all means for buyers sourcing flaxseed from Central Asia.
The most striking feature of China's flaxseed import market is the overwhelming dominance of two Central Asian origins:
Together, Russia and Kazakhstan now supply approximately 99% of China's flaxseed imports — a level of supplier concentration that carries both opportunities and risks for the market.
China's flaxseed import surge is not a temporary spike — it reflects deep structural changes in the country's food and agriculture sectors.
Chinese consumers and food manufacturers are increasingly seeking healthier cooking oils beyond traditional soybean, rapeseed, and peanut oils. Flaxseed oil, rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, an omega-3 fatty acid), has gained significant market share in the premium edible oil segment. The Chinese flaxseed oil market has grown at a compound annual rate of approximately 12-15% over the past five years, with particular strength in first-tier cities and health-conscious consumer segments.
Cold-pressed flaxseed oil is now a staple in many Chinese households, and its use as a nutritional supplement and cooking oil continues to expand. This retail demand drives a significant portion of the import volume, as domestic flaxseed production — concentrated primarily in Inner Mongolia, Gansu, and Ningxia — falls far short of meeting total demand.
Flaxseed meal, a byproduct of oil extraction, is an increasingly valued ingredient in animal feed formulations. Rich in protein (approximately 35-38%) and with a favourable amino acid profile, flaxseed meal is used in poultry, swine, and aquaculture feeds. China's aquaculture industry — the world's largest — has been particularly active in incorporating flaxseed meal to improve the omega-3 content of farmed fish, responding to consumer demand for healthier seafood products.
Whole flaxseed and ground flaxseed are increasingly popular in China's booming health food market. Used in bakery products, cereal bars, smoothie mixes, and traditional Chinese health preparations, flaxseed benefits from a strong nutritional profile and growing consumer awareness of its health benefits. The Chinese government's "Healthy China 2030" initiative has further boosted demand for functional foods, with flaxseed prominently featured in government-endorsed dietary guidelines.
China's domestic flaxseed production has remained relatively flat at approximately 350,000-400,000 tonnes per year, constrained by limited arable land suitable for flaxseed cultivation and competition from higher-value crops. With total demand now exceeding 1.5 million tonnes, the import dependency ratio has climbed above 70% — and shows no sign of reversing.
Canada was once China's second-largest flaxseed supplier, and for decades was the preferred origin for premium-grade flaxseed. The dramatic decline in Canada's market share — from roughly 20% to under 2% in the space of five years — is one of the most significant origin shifts in recent agricultural commodity trade history.
Several factors contributed to this shift:
The record 2025 import figure has several implications for the global flaxseed market in 2026:
Strong Chinese demand provides a floor under global flaxseed prices. However, year-to-year volatility remains high, driven by weather-dependent production in Russia and Kazakhstan. A poor crop in either country can tighten supply rapidly, given the extreme supplier concentration. Buyers should consider forward contracting and strategic inventory building to manage price risk.
Kazakhstan's 25% market share — up from under 15% five years ago — represents the fastest growth trajectory among supplying countries. Kazakh producers are expanding flaxseed acreage in response to sustained Chinese demand, and the government is actively supporting oilseed crop diversification. For buyers looking to diversify within the Central Asian origin base, Kazakhstan offers a compelling combination of growing supply, competitive pricing, and efficient logistics via the Khorgos and Alashankou corridors.
Chinese importers and regulators are steadily tightening quality requirements for imported flaxseed. Key parameters to watch include maximum aflatoxin levels, pesticide residue limits, and GMO testing protocols. Buyers sourcing Central Asian flaxseed through a quality-focused intermediary — with pre-shipment SGS or Bureau Veritas inspection — will find it easier to navigate these evolving requirements.
The Alashankou Free Trade Zone enables a re-export model where flaxseed imported from Kazakhstan or Russia can be processed (cleaned, graded, repackaged) and re-exported to third countries. This is particularly relevant for Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern buyers who want Central Asian flaxseed quality but prefer to purchase on CIF or CFR terms from a Chinese port.
Central Asia Bulk Products is positioned at the centre of the Russia-Kazakhstan-China flaxseed supply chain. Through our sister company Basitao in Alashankou, we handle the full logistics chain from Kazakh and Russian farms to Chinese border crossings, bonded warehousing, and onward distribution.
Our flaxseed offering includes:
Whether you are a Chinese crusher, a Southeast Asian food manufacturer, or a Middle Eastern trading house, we can structure a supply solution tailored to your volume, quality, and logistics requirements.
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