Russian Flaxseed Oil Exports to China Surge Past Full-Year 2024/25 Volumes
- Russia shipped over 0.75 million tons of flaxseed oil to China in the first seven months of 2025/26 MY, already surpassing the entire 2024/25 MY export volume of 0.7 million tons.
- China’s share of Russian flaxseed oil exports has jumped to 78%, up from under 50% in September–March 2023/24 MY, making it the dominant buyer.
- EU protective tariffs have sharply reduced Russian flows to Europe, with Kazakhstan increasingly filling the supply gap in EU markets.
- Market impact is neutral to slightly bearish for Black Sea freight as trade routes consolidate eastward, reducing competition on some European lanes.
Market Update
Russian flaxseed oil exports to China reached 0.75 million tons in the first seven months of the 2025/26 marketing year, a 33% increase compared with the same period last season, according to the federal center “Agroexport” under the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation.
This surge means shipments to China have already exceeded the entire 2024/25 MY export volume of 0.7 million tons. China now absorbs about 78% of Russian flaxseed oil exports, up sharply from less than 50% during the September–March 2023/24 MY period, cementing its position as Russia’s primary outlet.
The restructuring of trade flows follows the introduction of EU protective tariffs, which have pushed Russian exports to traditional European destinations such as Belgium, Poland, and Latvia down to minimal levels. As Russian volumes are redirected eastward, Europe has increasingly turned to alternative suppliers.
Beyond China, several other markets have expanded purchases of Russian flaxseed oil. Kazakhstan’s imports rose by 236% year-on-year, Belarus increased purchases by 91%, and Turkey’s imports grew by 140% over the corresponding period last season. However, these markets still account for a significantly smaller share of total Russian exports than China.
Kazakhstan has capitalized on the reshaped flow pattern, gaining market share within the European Union as Russian-origin volumes are redirected away from the bloc and toward Asian and CIS buyers.
| Destination | Period / Comparison | Volume / Change | Share of Russian Exports |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | First 7 months 2025/26 MY | 0.75 million tons | 78% |
| All destinations | Full 2024/25 MY | 0.7 million tons to China (for comparison) | China < 50% in Sep–Mar 2023/24 MY |
| Kazakhstan | YoY change | +236% | Growing, still below China |
| Belarus | YoY change | +91% | Moderate share |
| Turkey | YoY change | +140% | Moderate share |
Market Impact & Freight Implications
Market Impact: Neutral to Slightly Bearish for Black Sea Freight
The consolidation of Russian flaxseed oil exports toward China and selected CIS markets is streamlining regional trade routes. While overall export volumes are rising, the shift away from a diversified European customer base toward a heavily China-centric flow is likely to reduce competition for freight capacity on some Black Sea–to–EU lanes.
Increased buying from Kazakhstan and Turkey offers a partial counterbalance, but their combined demand remains well below China’s scale. Logistics teams should plan for persistently strong eastbound flows from Black Sea ports, with potentially softer rate dynamics on westbound routes serving traditional European markets.
Source: Market Data
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