Russian flax industry faces new problems

Flax crops in Russia occupy three times less area than in France, said Valeriy Misharin, Executive Director of the Russian Linen company, during his speech at the Russian Crop Production – 2021/22 conference, organized by the Agroinvestor journal.

The gross yield of flax in Russia is 82% lower compared to France. Moreover, any French farmer growing flax earns twice more than those growing wheat.

There is a complex of unsolved problems in the Russian flax industry. Among them are the lack of good quality seeds that are resistant to pests, the lack of seed centers amid a ban on the import of seeds, and the reluctance of French producers to sell them to Russia.

There is also the low profitability of flax cultivation, which does not exceed 5%. For comparison: the profitability of flax factories is 15%, spinning mills — 25%, and enterprises for the production of linen fabrics — 35%.