Belgium: Rice Market 2025

Rice Market Size in Belgium

In 2021, after three years of growth, there was decline in the Belgian rice market, when its value decreased by -3.4% to $X. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2020, and then reduced in the following year.

Rice Production in Belgium

In value terms, rice production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 17%. Rice production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

The average yield of rice in Belgium totaled less than X kg per ha in 2021, approximately equating 2020 figures. In general, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, approx. less than X ha of rice were harvested in Belgium; therefore, remained relatively stable against the year before. Over the period under review, the harvested area showed a relatively flat trend pattern.

Rice Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2021, rice exports from Belgium rose notably to X tons, increasing by 7.7% against the previous year's figure. In general, exports recorded buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 81%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, rice exports expanded sharply to $X in 2021. Overall, total exports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +99.2% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 44%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

France (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Germany (X tons) were the main destinations of rice exports from Belgium, together comprising 74% of total exports. These countries were followed by the UK, the Czech Republic, Poland, Sweden, Austria and Switzerland, which together accounted for a further 18%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by the Czech Republic (with a CAGR of +31.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($X), Germany ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) were the largest markets for rice exported from Belgium worldwide, together accounting for 70% of total exports. The UK, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Poland, Austria and Switzerland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 20%.

The Czech Republic, with a CAGR of +27.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average rice export price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 4.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a perceptible contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 16%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Austria ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Czech Republic ($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 Germany (+1.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Rice Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2021, approx. X tons of rice were imported into Belgium; with an increase of 1.5% on the previous year. Over the period under review, total imports indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% 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 +59.0% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 49%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, rice imports rose significantly to $X in 2021. In general, total imports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +71.8% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 43%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Myanmar (X tons) constituted the largest rice supplier to Belgium, accounting for a 29% share of total imports. Moreover, rice imports from Myanmar exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Pakistan (X tons), twofold. Spain (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Myanmar totaled +81.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Pakistan (+32.2% per year) and Spain (-0.7% per year).

In value terms, Pakistan ($X), Myanmar ($X) and Spain ($X) were the largest rice suppliers to Belgium, together accounting for 52% of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, Myanmar, with a CAGR of +80.0%, 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 rice import price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 3.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the average import price increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while the price for Myanmar ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+27.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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