Belgium: Cheese Market 2024

Cheese Market Size in Belgium

The Belgian cheese market rose remarkably to $X in 2021, growing by 5.1% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Cheese consumption peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Cheese Production in Belgium

In value terms, cheese production fell slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +102.3% against 2012 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 40% against the previous year. Cheese production peaked at $X in 2020, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Cheese Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2021, cheese exports from Belgium soared to X tons, increasing by 15% compared with 2020 figures. In general, total exports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +57.3% against 2013 indices. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, cheese exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +71.4% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), the UK (X tons) and France (X tons) were the main destinations of cheese exports from Belgium, together comprising 51% of total exports. These countries were followed by Italy, Spain, Germany, Luxembourg, Japan and Portugal, which together accounted for a further 33%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Portugal (with a CAGR of +23.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for cheese exported from Belgium were the Netherlands ($X), the UK ($X) and France ($X), with a combined 55% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Italy, Germany, Spain, Luxembourg, Portugal and Japan, which together accounted for a further 30%.

Among the main countries of destination, Portugal, with a CAGR of +22.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average cheese export price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 4.1% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a slight setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average export price increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Japan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Portugal (-0.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Cheese Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2021, overseas purchases of cheese increased by 15% to X tons, rising for the sixth consecutive year after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, cheese imports soared to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), Germany (X tons) and France (X tons) were the main suppliers of cheese imports to Belgium, with a combined 75% share of total imports. Italy, the UK, Ireland and Denmark lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 21%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by the UK (with a CAGR of +17.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest cheese suppliers to Belgium were the Netherlands ($X), France ($X) and Germany ($X), together comprising 75% of total imports. These countries were followed by Italy, the UK, Ireland and Denmark, which together accounted for a further 20%.

The UK, with a CAGR of +15.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average cheese import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 2.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 9.4%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the price for Germany ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+0.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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