Aubergines market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian market for fresh aubergines showed sustained expansion from 2018 to 2021, with the total market volume climbing from 9 938 т to 13 459 т. This period was marked by particularly strong growth in 2021, when consumption rose by nearly 24%.

A reversal occurred in the following two years, with market volume dipping to 13 189 т in 2022 and then falling more noticeably to 12 221 т in 2023. The 2023 decline was primarily driven by global and regional supply chain disruptions and elevated logistics costs, consequences of the war in Ukraine and lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which constrained availability.

Throughout the period, underlying market dynamics included a significant rise in consumer demand, spurred by a lasting shift to home cooking that began during the pandemic, the inclusion of aubergines in fresh meal kits, and growing nutritional awareness promoting the vegetable as a healthy choice.

Production aubergines in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of aubergines, 2017-2020

World map of production of aubergines, 2017-2020

Belgium's aubergine production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 11 400 tonnes of aubergines, marking a 7.8% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 40.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of aubergine output in Belgium reached 14 359 thousand US dollars, up 18.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 12.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 12 099 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 7.0%.

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

Exports aubergines from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

Aubergine exports from Belgium have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Belgium exported 10 189 tonnes of aubergines, a slight increase of 2.7% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 10.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.3%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 8 748 tonnes, which experienced the largest decline of 5.4%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 13.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany were the top buyers of Belgian aubergines by volume. France accounted for 29.5% of exports, the Netherlands for 25.2%, and Germany for 20.6%, together making up 75.3% of total export volume.

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

Aubergine exports from Belgium have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 12 834 thousand US dollars, up 13.1% from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 12.2%, with a compound annual decline of 4.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 11 240 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest drop of 23.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany formed the core markets for Belgian aubergine exports by value. France represented 31.2% of export value, the Netherlands 21.7%, and Germany 19.4%, collectively accounting for 72.3% 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 aubergines to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

Aubergine imports into Belgium have grown for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Belgium imported approximately 9 655 tonnes of aubergines, a modest 0.9% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 6.9%, with an annualized decline of 2.4%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 8 566 tonnes, which experienced the largest drop of 17.4%. In 2019, imports saw the largest rise of 11.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Spain, and Germany were the key sources for aubergine imports into Belgium by volume. The Netherlands supplied 52.6% of imports, Spain 27.3%, and Germany 9.4%, together representing 89.3% of total import volume.

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

After two years of decline, aubergine imports into Belgium rebounded in 2020. The country imported 13 740 thousand US dollars worth of aubergines, showing a strong year-on-year increase of 10.7%. However, over the 2017-2020 period, import value fell by 19.8%, with an annualized decline of 7.1%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 12 414 thousand US dollars, while 2018 recorded the largest decline of 24.6%.

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

In 2017-2020, the Netherlands, Spain, and Germany were the principal sources for aubergine imports into Belgium by value. The Netherlands accounted for 47.7% of import value, Spain for 32.3%, and Germany for 10.4%, jointly making up 90.3% of total import flows.

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

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