Belgium: Maize Market 2025

Maize Market Size in Belgium

For the fourth consecutive year, the Belgian maize market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 8.7% to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +64.9% against 2016 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Maize Production in Belgium

In value terms, maize production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2022, the average maize yield in Belgium shrank to X tons per ha, reducing by -6.7% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, the yield showed a mild decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 35% against the previous year. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the average maize yield remained at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, approx. X ha of maize were harvested in Belgium; picking up by 3.8% on the year before. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, recorded a pronounced descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the harvested area increased by 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to maize production reached the maximum at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Maize Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2022, exports of maize from Belgium fell markedly to X tons, with a decrease of -43.7% on the previous year's figure. In general, exports recorded a abrupt shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 41%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, maize exports shrank sharply to $X in 2022. Overall, exports showed a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 73% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) was the main destination for maize exports from Belgium, with a 90% share of total exports. Moreover, maize exports to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, France (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Germany (X tons), with a 1.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the Netherlands amounted to -14.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (-18.9% per year) and Germany (-15.3% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the key foreign market for maize exports from Belgium, comprising 88% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by France ($X), with a 6.3% share of total exports. It was followed by Luxembourg, with a 3.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the Netherlands totaled -12.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (-20.0% per year) and Luxembourg (+5.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average maize export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 6.9% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, maize export price increased by +66.2% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average export price increased by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Luxembourg ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to France ($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 Germany (+3.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Maize Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2022, the amount of maize imported into Belgium reduced to X tons, which is down by -6.9% compared with 2021. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 11%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, maize imports expanded notably to $X in 2022. In general, total imports indicated mild growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +91.8% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 26%. Imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2022, France (X tons) constituted the largest maize supplier to Belgium, accounting for a 54% share of total imports. Moreover, maize imports from France exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Ukraine (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the Netherlands (X tons), with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from France amounted to +2.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Ukraine (+2.4% per year) and the Netherlands (+6.6% per year).

In value terms, France ($X) constituted the largest supplier of maize to Belgium, comprising 52% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Ukraine, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from France totaled +3.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (+4.8% per year) and Ukraine (+2.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average maize import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 14% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 28% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the highest price was recorded for prices from Germany ($X per ton) and the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Ukraine ($X per ton) and Romania ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+2.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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