Belgium: Molluscs Market 2024

Molluscs Market Size in Belgium

After two years of decline, the Belgian molluscs market increased by 8.3% to $X in 2021. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Molluscs consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Molluscs Production in Belgium

In value terms, molluscs production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 36% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Molluscs Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2021, shipments abroad of molluscs (scallops, mussels, cuttle fish, squid and octopus) increased by 0.9% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Overall, exports, however, showed a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 50% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, molluscs exports reduced slightly to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 64%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

France (X tons) was the main destination for molluscs exports from Belgium, accounting for a 47% share of total exports. Moreover, molluscs exports to France exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Germany (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by the Netherlands (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to France totaled -8.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-0.3% per year) and the Netherlands (-8.0% per year).

In value terms, France ($X) remains the key foreign market for molluscs (scallops, mussels, cuttle fish, squid and octopus) exports from Belgium, comprising 49% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to France amounted to -8.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-1.3% per year) and the Netherlands (-7.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average molluscs export price amounted to $X per ton, remaining constant against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the average export price increased by 16% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to Spain ($X per ton) and the UK ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Luxembourg ($X per ton) and the Netherlands ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Spain (+10.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Molluscs Imports

Imports into Belgium

After two years of growth, purchases abroad of molluscs (scallops, mussels, cuttle fish, squid and octopus) decreased by -10% to X tons in 2021. In general, imports recorded a abrupt slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 25% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, molluscs imports contracted dramatically to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports saw a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 38% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

India (X tons), China (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main suppliers of molluscs imports to Belgium, with a combined 54% share of total imports. Spain, France, Peru, Denmark, New Zealand, Canada, Morocco, Vietnam and the United States lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 36%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Morocco (with a CAGR of +26.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), France ($X) and India ($X) were the largest molluscs suppliers to Belgium, with a combined 49% share of total imports. Spain, China, Canada, Peru, Morocco, Denmark, New Zealand, Vietnam and the United States lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 41%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Morocco, with a CAGR of +28.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, 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 molluscs import price amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -7.7% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average import price increased by 12% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

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 Canada ($X per ton), while the price for China ($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 (+6.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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