Belgium: Pork Market 2024

Pork Market Size in Belgium

The Belgian pork market rose markedly to $X in 2022, growing by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Pork consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Pork Production in Belgium

In value terms, pork production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a pronounced curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The average yield of pork in Belgium reached X kg per head in 2022, remaining stable against the previous year. In general, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 1.7% against the previous year. The pork yield peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In 2022, the number of animals slaughtered for pork production in Belgium dropped slightly to X heads, which is down by -1.9% compared with the previous year. Overall, the number of producing animals showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the number of producing animals increased by 4%. The number of animals slaughtered for pork production peaked at X heads in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, producing animals failed to regain momentum.

Pork Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2022, shipments abroad of pork decreased by -14% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, pork exports fell modestly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a perceptible shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 16% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Poland (X tons), Germany (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main destinations of pork exports from Belgium, with a combined 61% share of total exports. Italy, the Czech Republic, the UK, Romania, France, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Lithuania lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 29%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Slovakia (with a CAGR of +15.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for pork exported from Belgium were Poland ($X), Germany ($X) and the Netherlands ($X), together accounting for 59% of total exports. Italy, the Czech Republic, the UK, Romania, France, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Lithuania lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 30%.

Among the main countries of destination, Slovakia, 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 pork export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 16% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a slight contraction. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum 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 the UK ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Czech Republic ($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 the UK (+1.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Pork Imports

Imports into Belgium

After three years of growth, supplies from abroad of pork decreased by -19.7% to X tons in 2022. Overall, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then shrank remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, pork imports dropped to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 18% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the Netherlands (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of pork to Belgium, with a 52% share of total imports. Moreover, pork imports from the Netherlands exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Germany (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by France (X tons), with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from the Netherlands stood at +5.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+3.0% per year) and France (-5.2% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) constituted the largest supplier of pork to Belgium, comprising 55% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Spain, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from the Netherlands stood at +7.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+0.6% per year) and Spain (-7.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average pork import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 11% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, 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 Poland ($X per ton), while the price for the UK ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+2.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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