Belgium: Wheat Market 2025

Wheat Market Size in Belgium

The Belgian wheat market expanded markedly to $X in 2022, surging by 9.5% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Wheat Production in Belgium

In value terms, wheat production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a perceptible setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 53%. Wheat production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of wheat in Belgium expanded markedly to X tons per ha in 2022, surging by 7.2% against 2021. Over the period under review, the yield, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average wheat yield attained the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The wheat harvested area in Belgium contracted slightly to X ha in 2022, waning by -3.5% compared with the previous year. In general, the harvested area showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the harvested area increased by 7.5%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to wheat production attained the maximum at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Wheat Exports

Exports from Belgium

Wheat exports from Belgium contracted sharply to X tons in 2022, waning by -47.9% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, exports showed a drastic downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 23%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, wheat exports fell sharply to $X in 2022. In general, exports showed a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 29%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) was the main destination for wheat exports from Belgium, with a 83% share of total exports. Moreover, wheat exports to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, France (X tons), eightfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to the Netherlands stood at -1.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (-5.9% per year) and Germany (-23.8% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the key foreign market for wheat exports from Belgium, comprising 77% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by France ($X), with an 11% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the Netherlands was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (-4.8% per year) and Germany (-23.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average wheat export price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 15% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 26%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Netherlands ($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 Netherlands (+2.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Wheat Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2022, supplies from abroad of wheat decreased by -15.4% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, wheat imports rose to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 41%. Imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, France (X tons) constituted the largest wheat supplier to Belgium, with a 70% share of total imports. Moreover, wheat imports from France exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Germany (X tons), fourfold. The Netherlands (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 7.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from France amounted to +1.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (-5.0% per year) and the Netherlands (+2.5% per year).

In value terms, France ($X) constituted the largest supplier of wheat to Belgium, comprising 67% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with an 8.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from France amounted to +2.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (-3.8% per year) and the Netherlands (+5.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average wheat import price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 24% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, wheat import price increased by +81.5% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 24%. The import price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+2.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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