Barley market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The barley market in Belgium expanded to a peak of 2 175 thousand tonnes in 2019, before entering a period of gradual contraction to 1 955 thousand tonnes by 2023. Domestic production showed considerable annual volatility, while imports, which constitute the bulk of supply, began a sustained decline after their 2019 high.

The market dynamics shifted notably in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which disrupted global grain supply chains and triggered economic instability. In response, the Belgian government issued a circular urging public buyers to show flexibility in contracts for agricultural commodities to mitigate economic shocks. Concurrently, a royal decree authorized advance payments for public contracts to support businesses, measures that coincided with a marked reduction in barley imports and altered trade patterns for the commodity.

Concurrent regulatory updates in Belgium's public procurement framework, including the mandatory introduction of electronic invoicing and the harmonization of payment deadlines with EU directives, were implemented during this period. However, these administrative and digitalization measures primarily affected contract execution procedures rather than the fundamental agricultural drivers of barley market volume.

Production barley in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of barley, 2017-2020

World map of production of barley, 2017-2020

Belgium's barley production in 2020 reached 329.5 K t, marking a 17.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 13.6%, with an average annual decline of 4.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 324.1 K t, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 401.1 K t. The most significant year-on-year increase was observed in 2019, when production rose by 23.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two consecutive years of growth, Belgium's barley production value declined in 2020. The output was valued at 72 665 K $ US, representing a notable 14.4% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 84 937 K $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 12.8%.

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

Exports barley from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belgium exported 156 K t of barley, showing a solid decline of 23.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 18.9%, with an average annual reduction of 6.7%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 143 K t, while the peak was in 2019 with 203 K t. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, falling by 25.5%, whereas the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 41.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands remained the dominant destination for Belgium's barley exports in volume terms, accounting for 83.7% of total flows. The remaining share was fragmented across various other markets.

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 barley exports in 2020 were valued at 34.4 M $ US, reflecting a robust decrease of 20.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports declined by 5.5%, equating to an average annual rate of 1.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 33.2 M $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 43.0 M $ US. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, rising by 29.3%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands was the primary destination for Belgium's barley exports in value terms, accounting for 78.7% of total flows. Other markets formed a long tail of smaller partners.

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

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

Imports barley to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belgium imported 1 948 K t of barley, indicating a small reduction of 1.4% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 10.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 1 734 K t, while the peak was in 2019 with 1 977 K t. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 14.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, France remained the main source for Belgium's barley imports in volume terms, taking 83.8% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed across various smaller markets.

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

After two years of growth, Belgium's barley imports declined in 2020, reaching 399.1 M $ US. This represented a 7.0% decrease from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 20.3%, with an average annual rate of 6.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 429.0 M $ US, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, rising by 14.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France remained the main source for barley imports to Belgium in value terms, accounting for 81.9% of total imports. The remaining volume was distributed among other countries.

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

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