In 2023, the volume of flax fabric exports by the UK remained steady at 805, 000 sq m. However, the value of these exports dropped to $56 million during the year, according to IndexBox estimates. From 2013 to 2023, the total value of flax fabric exports from the country grew at a CAGR of 1.2 per cent with notable fluctuations throughout this period. 

The United States was the main destination for flax fabric exports by the UK in 2023, receiving 227,000 sq m and accounting for 28 per cent of total exports. The second largest export destination was France with exports of 94,000 sq m, followed by India with exports of 67,000 sq m.  From 2013 to 2023, exports of flax fabric from the UK to the United States grew modestly, while exports to France decreased by an average of 8.4 per cent per year, and exports to India surged by 32.5 per cent annually.

In value terms, the United States was the largest market for UK flax fabric exports at $24 million, making up 43 per cent of total exports. The Netherlands ranked second with exports worth $4.4 million (7.9 per cent share), followed by India with a 6.7 per cent share. The average annual growth rate of export value to the United States was 7.4 per cent, while the Netherlands saw a 12.9 per cent annual increase, and India experienced a 40.5 per cent annual rise.

The main products exported were fabrics containing 85 per cent or more flax (484,000 sq m), fabrics containing less than 85 per cent flax (310,000 sq m), and unbleached or bleached fabrics woven from flax containing 85% or more flax (26,000 sq m), together accounting for 99 per cent of the total exports. Unbleached or bleached fabrics containing less than 85 per cent flax made up the remaining 1.4 per cent.

From 2013 to 2023, the most significant growth among these products was in fabrics containing less than 85 per cent flax, unbleached or bleached, with a CAGR of 3.3 per cent. Other product types experienced declines.

In value terms, fabrics containing 85 per cent or more flax, other than bleached or unbleached accounted for 59 per cent of total exports. This was followed by fabrics containing less than 85 per cent flax. From 2013 to 2023, the value of exports for fabrics containing 85 per cent or more flax grew by 2.1 per cent annually. 

Meanwhile, the value for fabrics containing less than 85 per cent flax, other than unbleached or bleached, decreased by 0.9 per cent per year, and unbleached or bleached fabrics containing 85 per cent or more flax increased by 0.9 per cent per year.

In 2023, the average price of flax fabric exports declined by 14.6 per cent to $69 per sq m from the previous year. Despite this drop, the export price had generally seen robust growth over the review period. The most notable price increase was in 2022, with a 32 per cent rise from the previous year, reaching a peak of $81 per square meter before falling in 2023.

There were significant price variations among different markets. The United States had the highest average price at $106 per sq m, while the United Arab Emirates had one of the lowest at $27 per sq m.