Asparagus market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of Belgium's fresh asparagus market showed significant variability from 2018 to 2023. Starting at 8 277 t in 2018, consumption dipped to 7 792 t by 2020 before peaking at 9 273 t in 2021. A sharp contraction followed in 2022 to 7 517 t, with a partial recovery to 8 464 t in 2023. Domestic production mirrored this volatility, falling notably to 4 500 t in 2020 and again to 4 050 t in 2023.

Key developments shaped this period. In 2022, the market was structured by the launch of the 'Asperges de Wallonie' quality label, uniting 19 producers under shared rules to promote local, seasonal asparagus through collective marketing. The following year, unfavorable weather conditions directly reduced planted area by approximately 10%, curtailing domestic output. However, expanded producer collaboration and diversified sales channels helped maintain market volume.

Persistent emphasis on local origin and seasonal consumption defined the market's character. By 2024, challenging weather patterns, including persistent rains and floods across Belgium and the Netherlands, combined with labor shortages, led to delayed harvests and tightened supply. The established 'Asperges de Wallonie' label continued to provide a framework for producers, reinforcing the market's foundation amid these climatic and operational pressures.

Production asparagus in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium ranked as the 22nd largest producer of asparagus globally.

Top producers of asparagus, 2017-2020

World map of production of asparagus, 2017-2020

Belgium's asparagus production declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 4 500 tonnes, marking a significant 16.8% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 6.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 5 410 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 10.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Belgium's asparagus output was valued at 28 525 thousand US dollars, up 5.6% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 14.1%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 4.5%. The largest annual decline was in 2019 at 2.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 10.4%.

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

Exports asparagus from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Belgium's asparagus exports declined. In 2020, exports totaled 3 182 tonnes, representing a substantial 17.2% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 4.8%, with a CAGR of -1.6%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 842 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 9.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (36.1% of export volume), France (20.2%), and Sweden (7.2%) were Belgium's main export markets for asparagus, collectively accounting for 63.4% 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, K $ US

Belgium's asparagus exports in value terms grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 20 170 thousand US dollars, showing a modest 5.2% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 16.6%, with a CAGR of 5.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, the Netherlands (37.0% of export value), France (10.7%), and Sweden (8.1%) consistently led Belgium's asparagus export markets in value terms, together representing 55.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports asparagus to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

Belgium imported 6 474 tonnes of asparagus in 2020, a slight decrease of 1.3% from the previous year. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 6 443 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decline of 2.1%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 1.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and Peru dominated Belgium's asparagus imports, together accounting for 81.5% of total import volume, with other suppliers each holding relatively small shares.

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, K $ US

Belgium's asparagus imports in value terms rebounded after two years of decline. In 2020, imports amounted to 38 373 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong 18.6% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 16.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 32 353 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual decline was in 2018 at 1.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the Netherlands and Peru remained Belgium's primary asparagus suppliers in value terms, with a combined share of 84.0% of total imports, while other countries made up the remainder.

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

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