Linseed is used in the manufacture of paints varnishes, linoleum, lithographic ink, patent and imitation leather, soap, glycerine and in vulcanizing. Linseed or flax seed is obtained from the flax plant grown either for fibre or for seed. In tropical and sub-tropical areas flax is grown for seed and in cool temperature areas flax is grown for fibre, which is used in the manufacture of linen.
Russia, Canada, India, U.S.A. and Argentina are the principal linseed producing countries.
In 1987-88 world production of linseed amounted to 4 million metric tonnes
World trade. The world production of linseed is almost steady at 4 million metric tonnes on the average.
The chief linseed exporting countries are Argentina, India, Canada, and U.S.A. Up to World War II, Argentina used to supply about 50 per cent of linseed entering foreign trade. But today her position is not unrivaled. Canada supplied 25 per cent, U.S.A. 15 per cent, India 12 per cent and Argentina 10 per cent of the world's linseed available for export in 1987-88.
The countries importing linseed are U.K. Holland, Germany (West) U.S.A., France, Belgium, Italy and Norway. Indian linseed is heavily demanded in U.K. while Argentina linseed and Indian linseed are imported heavily by the U.S.A.
The linseed oil producing countries are U.S.A, U.K., Holland, Germany and Russia. The oil exporting countries are Holland and U.K. The U.K. also imports linseed oil.
Sun-flower. Russia and China are the chief producers and exporters of sunflower. Germany (West) and U.K. are the importers of Sunflower.
This source of oil is originally located in Central America, but now-a days it is grown in Hungary and Turkey. Argentina, Chile and Uruguay in South America also produce it. South Africa is also producer of sunflower. Its kernels are eaten and it is used as oil as well. It can be grown up to 55°N. U.S.S.R. is the biggest producer of sunflower and Argentina comes next to it in production. U.S.S.R., Hungary and Argentina are the main exporters and Germany and Italy are the main importers.
Castor Plant. The oil extracted from the bean of the castor plant is used in medicine, soap making and as lubricant for heavy machinery and airplanes, fly paper, illuminant and as leather preservative.
The plant is cultivated in India, Brazil, Java of Indonesia, U.S.A. and Union of South Africa. India and Brazil produced about 236 and 200 thousand metric tons of castor beans against the world total of 640 thousand metric tons in 1987-88. Indonesia's share was 20 thousand metric tons of castor beans.
The large castor seed exporting countries are India and Brazil. U.K, U.S.A, France, Belgium and Germany import seed for oil production.
Sesame. The oil is extracted from the seeds of an annual plant, which grows in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world.
It is grown in tropical subtropical and warm temperate regions of the world. It does not need rich soils for its growth. The oil of sesame seed is used mainly for cooking and lighting purpose.
World trade. The oil is used in the manufacture of margarine, soaps, lubricant and also used in cooking. India and China are the major producers of sesame. China is the main exporter of sesame. The countries importing sesame are Holland, Germany (West), U.K. France and USA The chief oil producing countries are India, China, Holland, Germany (West), U.K. France and U.S.A. Holland is famous as an exporter of sesame oil and U.S.A. is the principal sesame oil importing country.
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