Post by Trade facilitator on Sept 13, 2020 18:28:52 GMT 1
Linseed is increasingly used for direct human consumption because of its nutritional value and health benefits (omega-3, fibre content). Linseed or flaxseed is an important commodity traded for its oil and nutrient benefits in many industries, like textiles, paper, and wood finishing products.
The Omega-3 fatty acid content of linseed as well as its dietary fibres are regarded as beneficial to human health and gain increasing popularity.
Product Description
Linseed is the seed from the flax plant (Linum usitatissimum). The thin yellow or brown seed is processed for their nutritional value and high content of fibre and oil.
Market Trends For Linseed
Linseed serves as a nutritional and functional ingredient which opens up opportunities in the niche market for health food products. Linseed and its oil are marketed as health-food products. The increasing awareness about health and wellbeing is driving the market demand for linseed across the globe. Linseeds can be used to make bread, cereal, cracker, energy bar, oil, snacks, and pet food.
Linseeds are increasingly being used for direct human consumption due to their nutritional value and health benefits (omega-3, fibre content).
The main market for human consumption of linseed can be found within the bakery and health food segments. It is widely used in baking and confectionery industries, while crushing the linseed produces both linseed oil and the fibre-rich linseed meal as by-product.
Linseeds (and linseed oil) is used in the food sector as well as the industrial sector. Linseed oil is also used extensively as an ingredient in paints, varnishes and many other industrial products.
The demand for linseed follows the global development of the Omega-3 market.
The US, China, and some European countries, like Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, are the major importers of linseeds. Germany is Europe’s largest export destination for linseed, taking a share of 41% in volume, followed by Belgium (12%) and the Netherlands (11%).
To export the product successfully to the importing countries, it must meet the required standards, properly packaged and labelled.
Linseed Packaging For Export
Linseed is primarily packed as break-bulk cargo, for example in flat jute fabric bags, polypropylene (PP) bags or multiwall paper bags. Using transportation in bulk for linseeds is uncommon, due to its easy germination characteristic. In the lower volume segments, such as snacks, bakery products and direct consumption, bagged linseed is transported in containers.
Labelling
Labels must include the following:
Product name and grade
Whether or not the product is destined for human consumption or industrial use
Manufacturer’s lot or batch code
Name and address of exporter
Product’s country of origin
Shelf life: Best-before date / use-by date
Net weight / volume in metric units
Recommended storage conditions
Organic (if relevant): Name / code of the certifying body and certification number.
Conclusion
A good exporter must ensure adequate quality control systems. Make sure to consult your (potential) buyer on the certifications which are required by them.
