Moscow, Sept. 8 (Sputnik) -- China simultaneously became a major producer, consumer and importer of linseed oil in 2021, according to a research by the Export Development Center of Products from the Federal Agro-Industrial Complex of the Russian Ministry of Agriculture.

Under the trend of healthy lifestyle, linseed oil is in great demand in the international market. Linseed oil has beneficial properties and is used not only in the food industry, but also in the production of lubricants, natural cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and printing.

In 2021, China produced 215,300 tonnes of linseed oil, followed by Belgium (152,600 tonnes) and India (64,000 tonnes), according to the research.

Meanwhile, in terms of consumption of linseed oil, China leads the world by a wide margin -- 256,400 tonnes in 2021, with Germany in second place (71,700 tonnes) and Belgium in third (71,700 tonnes).

China is also the world's largest importer of linseed oil, with 42,600 tonnes in 2021.