Belgium: Date Market 2025

Date Market Size in Belgium

In 2022, the Belgian date market decreased by -9.8% to $X, falling for the second consecutive year after five years of growth. Overall, consumption, however, posted a remarkable increase. Date consumption peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Date Exports

Exports from Belgium

After seven years of growth, overseas shipments of dates decreased by -25.8% to X tons in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 59%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then fell rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, date exports fell sharply to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, recorded a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 54%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then contracted significantly in the following year.

Exports by Country

France (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Germany (X tons) were the main destinations of date exports from Belgium, together comprising 70% of total exports. Spain, the UK, Luxembourg and Sweden lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 22%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Luxembourg (with a CAGR of +19.3%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Germany ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for date exported from Belgium worldwide, together accounting for 68% of total exports. Spain, Luxembourg, the UK and Sweden lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 24%.

Among the main countries of destination, Luxembourg, with a CAGR of +14.2%, saw 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

The average date export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, which is down by -6.7% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a mild shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 an increase of 13%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Spain (+2.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Date Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2022, overseas purchases of dates decreased by -12.4% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. In general, imports, however, saw buoyant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 40% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, date imports dropped sharply to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 44%. Imports peaked at $X in 2021, and then dropped remarkably in the following year.

Imports by Country

Tunisia (X tons), Algeria (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main suppliers of date imports to Belgium, with a combined 69% share of total imports. France, Germany, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Pakistan (with a CAGR of +159.8%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) constituted the largest supplier of dates to Belgium, comprising 38% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by France ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Tunisia, with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from the Netherlands stood at +16.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+11.2% per year) and Tunisia (-4.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average date import price amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -7.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 18%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Algeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+8.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :