Belgium: Fresh Fish Fillet Market 2024

Fresh Fish Fillet Market Size in Belgium

The Belgian fresh fish fillet market stood at $X in 2021, rising by 7.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption decreased by -0.5% against 2019 indices. Fresh fish fillet consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Fresh Fish Fillet Production in Belgium

In value terms, fresh fish fillet production dropped slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 13%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2020, and then fell in the following year.

Fresh Fish Fillet Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2021, the amount of fresh or chilled fish fillets exported from Belgium shrank to X tons, stabilizing at 2020 figures. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 128%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons, leveling off in the following year.

In value terms, fresh fish fillet exports rose rapidly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 86%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) was the main destination for fresh fish fillet exports from Belgium, with a 58% share of total exports. Moreover, fresh fish fillet exports to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, France (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Germany (X tons), with a 4.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the Netherlands amounted to +1.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (+13.3% per year) and Germany (+22.2% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the key foreign market for fresh or chilled fish fillets exports from Belgium, comprising 59% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by France ($X), with a 29% share of total exports. It was followed by Germany, with a 4.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to the Netherlands stood at +3.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (+14.5% per year) and Germany (+27.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average fresh fish fillet export price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 12% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.7%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 12%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Denmark ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Italy ($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 Denmark (+12.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Fresh Fish Fillet Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2021, the amount of fresh or chilled fish fillets imported into Belgium shrank slightly to X tons, remaining constant against the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 35% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

In value terms, fresh fish fillet imports expanded significantly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +83.7% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 23%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), Iceland (X tons) and Sweden (X tons) were the main suppliers of fresh fish fillet imports to Belgium, together accounting for 64% of total imports. These countries were followed by France, Uganda, Tanzania, Lithuania, Denmark and the UK, which together accounted for a further 31%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Lithuania (with a CAGR of +252.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Iceland ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and France ($X) were the largest fresh fish fillet suppliers to Belgium, together accounting for 69% of total imports. These countries were followed by Sweden, Uganda, Lithuania, Tanzania, Denmark and the UK, which together accounted for a further 26%.

Lithuania, with a CAGR of +267.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 fresh fish fillet import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 9.6% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.6%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average import price increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

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 ($X per ton), while the price for Uganda ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+5.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :