Alcoholic beer market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the Belgian alcoholic beer market volume grew from 697 million L to 978 million L, supported by a dynamic sector expansion. This period saw the number of breweries increase from 261 to 304, accompanied by investments totaling 251 million euros, which boosted production capacity and reinforced Belgium's position as Europe's leading beer exporter.

After the 2019 peak, domestic market volume fluctuated, declining to 769 million L in 2020, recovering to 854 million L in 2021, and falling again to 654 million L in 2022. By 2023, the market shrank further to 558 million L, a period marked by the closure of 36 breweries—the first net decrease in 15 years—and a growing preference among foreign markets for local sourcing, which pressured export volumes.

In 2024, the market volume rebounded to 810 million L, even as total beer consumption in Belgium declined by 2.1%. This recovery was driven by the entry of a new craft player, Nouvelle-Belgique Brewing Company, and sustained demand for specialty and craft beers, while the non-alcoholic beer segment saw sales volumes surge by 40%.

Production alcoholic beer in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Belgium ranked 14th globally in alcoholic beer production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

In 2020, Belgium produced 2 340 million liters of alcoholic beer, marking a moderate 7.2% decline from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, production fell by 4.4%, averaging an annual decrease of 1.5%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 2 100 million liters, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 2 521 million liters. The sharpest drop was in 2018 at 14.2%, and the largest gain was in 2019 at 20.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, M l

Exports alcoholic beer from Belgium

Exports in kind, M l

In 2020, Belgium exported 1 774 million liters of alcoholic beer, showing little change from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 20.8%, with an annualized decline of 7.5%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 1 636 million liters. The most significant reduction occurred in 2018 at 27.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 8.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, M l

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany were the primary markets for Belgium's alcoholic beer exports in volume terms, accounting for 24.4%, 16.7%, and 15.2% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 56.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Belgium in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Belgium's alcoholic beer export value rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 1 965 million US dollars, with only a slight variation from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, export value increased by 20.2%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belgium in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, France, the United States, and the Netherlands were the leading buyers of Belgian alcoholic beer in value terms, contributing 34.2%, 16.9%, and 15.4% of exports, respectively. Combined, these markets made up 66.5% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Belgium in value, 2017-2020

Imports alcoholic beer to Belgium

Imports in kind, M l

Import volumes of alcoholic beer into Belgium showed notable volatility from 2017 to 2020. The period began with a peak in 2017 and ended with a low in 2020, resulting in a 5.4-fold fluctuation. In 2020, imports amounted to 203 million liters, down 15.6% from the previous year. The steepest decline was in 2018 at 78.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 2.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, M l

During 2017–2020, Germany, France, and the Netherlands dominated Belgium's alcoholic beer imports in volume terms, with shares of 43.9%, 24.7%, and 18.1%, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 86.7% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Belgium in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Belgium's alcoholic beer import value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 161 million US dollars, reflecting a substantial 15.0% drop from the prior year. Over the 2017–2020 period, import value decreased by 17.0%, with a compound annual decline of 6.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belgium in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and France were the main sources of alcoholic beer imports into Belgium in value terms, representing 39.4%, 20.5%, and 16.5% of imports, respectively. Collectively, these countries comprised 76.4% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Belgium in value, 2017-2020