Beans market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Belgian beans market contracted from 184.4 thousand tonnes to 164.2 thousand tonnes, with production also declining. The sector in Wallonia was characterized by crop contracts with processing industries, which structured production but did not prevent the downturn.

A sharp rebound occurred in 2021, lifting the market to 218.2 thousand tonnes. However, 2022 saw a dramatic drop to 156.7 thousand tonnes, driven by soaring agricultural prices due to lower yields, high inflation that shifted consumers toward private labels, and global disruptions including the war in Ukraine and elevated energy costs.

In 2023, the market recovered to 204.3 thousand tonnes as food inflation moderated, reducing down-trading, and consumers continued to prioritize competitive pricing in supermarkets amid intensified retailer competition.

Production beans in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Belgium ranked as the 15th largest producer of beans between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of beans, 2017-2020

Belgium's bean production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 73.0 thousand tons of beans, marking a significant decrease of 23.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 40.7%, with an average annual decline of 16.0%.

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

Exports beans from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

The market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2017, with a 6.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Belgium exported 2,141 tons of beans, representing a sharp year-over-year decrease of 53.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 82.0%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 77.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and France were the dominant buyers of beans from Belgium, together accounting for 94.2% of total exports in volume. Other partners played a less significant role.

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

In 2020, bean shipments from Belgium abroad reached 3,610 thousand US dollars, which is 10.6% less than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 44.1%, equating to an annualized decline of 17.6%. The largest drop was in 2018 at 43.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 9.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of beans from Belgium in value terms were the Netherlands (36.7% of exports), France (25.1% of exports), and Luxembourg (12.6% of exports). Together, these three countries comprised 74.4% 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 beans to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Belgium's volume of bean imports increased. In 2020, imports totaled 93,342 tons, equivalent to a rise of 17.3% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 79,548 tons, with the largest decline that year at 10.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of beans to Belgium were largely oriented towards France and the Netherlands, whose combined share reached 94.1% of total flows. Other destinations played a secondary role.

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 imported a total of 48,967 thousand US dollars of beans in 2020, up by 21.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 10.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 40,393 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 12.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and France remained the main suppliers of beans to Belgium, with a combined share of 89.7% of total imports in value terms. The remainder was fragmented across 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