Belgium: Meat Market 2025

Meat Market Size in Belgium

The Belgian meat market rose modestly to $X in 2022, growing by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a slight decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Meat consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Meat Production in Belgium

In value terms, meat production shrank slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production saw a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The average yield of meat in Belgium stood at X kg per head in 2022, standing approx. at the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the yield increased by X% against the previous year. The meat yield peaked at X kg per head in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum.

In 2022, the number of animals slaughtered for meat production in Belgium contracted to X heads, with a decrease of X% on 2021. In general, the number of producing animals showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of X% against the previous year. The number of animals slaughtered for meat production peaked at X heads in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, producing animals failed to regain momentum.

Meat Exports

Exports from Belgium

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of meat decreased by X% to X tons in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, meat exports expanded notably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a slight downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of X%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons), Poland (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main destinations of meat exports from Belgium, with a combined X% share of total exports. Italy, France, the Czech Republic, the UK, Romania and Slovakia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further X%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Slovakia (with a CAGR of X%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Poland ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for meat exported from Belgium worldwide, together accounting for X% of total exports. France, Italy, the Czech Republic, the UK, Romania and Slovakia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further X%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Slovakia, with a CAGR of X%, 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

The average meat export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by X% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Czech Republic ($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 France (X%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Meat Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2022, supplies from abroad of meat decreased by X% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

In value terms, meat imports expanded sharply to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the Netherlands (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of meat to Belgium, accounting for a X% share of total imports. Moreover, meat imports from the Netherlands exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, France (X tons), twofold. Germany (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the Netherlands stood at X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (X% per year) and Germany (X% per year).

In value terms, the largest meat suppliers to Belgium were the Netherlands ($X), France ($X) and Ireland ($X), with a combined X% share of total imports. New Zealand, Spain, Germany, Poland, Argentina and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further X%.

Poland, with a CAGR of X%, saw 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 2022, the average meat import price amounted to $X per ton, surging by X% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 New Zealand ($X per ton), while the price for the UK ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

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

Source: IndexBox Platform

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