Beef and buffalo meat market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The beef and buffalo meat market in Belgium saw significant shifts between 2018 and 2024. Starting at a value of 502 million USD in 2018, the market grew to 598 million USD in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 altered consumption patterns, shifting demand towards at-home dining and boosting sales of minced meat, particularly frozen, which helped maintain the market at 589 million USD despite broader disruptions.

From 2021 to 2023, the market gradually contracted, reaching 568 million USD in 2023. This period was marked by a decline in European beef production, driven by a shrinking cattle herd, and rising production costs due to increased prices for energy and animal feed. Concurrently, Belgian consumer preferences shifted towards more economical options like minced meat, affecting sales of higher-value cuts.

In 2024, the market recovered to 593 million USD. This rebound occurred alongside an increased global supply of beef from South America and Australia, which influenced trade flows. Despite a slight decrease in per capita meat consumption in Belgium, demand for specific categories such as cow beef remained stable.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Belgium's beef and buffalo meat production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 888 million US dollars, representing a 5.3% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 15.8%, which translates to an annualized decline of 5.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Beef and buffalo meat production in Belgium declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Belgium produced 135.4 thousand tonnes, marking a significant 11.4% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 27.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 10.3%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

Belgium's beef and buffalo meat exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 114.8 thousand tonnes, reflecting a sharp 10.7% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 22.9%, with an annualized decline of 8.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Germany were the key export partners for Belgium's beef and buffalo meat in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 29.7% of exports, France for 25.4%, and Germany for 19.9%. Together, these three countries represented 75.0% 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

Beef and buffalo meat exports from Belgium declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 601.2 million US dollars, showing a moderate 7.8% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 25.6%, with an annualized rate of 9.4%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 838.6 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 22.2% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 3.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany were the top contributors to Belgium's beef and buffalo meat exports in value terms. France accounted for 26.8% of exports, the Netherlands for 25.1%, and Germany for 19.9%. Collectively, these three partners made up 71.9% 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 beef and buffalo meat to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belgium's beef and buffalo meat imports reached 57.7 thousand tonnes, showing a slight 1.9% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 11.1%, with an annualized growth rate of 3.6%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 50.3 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 58.8 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 3.2% drop, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a 16.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Ireland were the main suppliers of beef and buffalo meat to Belgium in volume terms. France accounted for 34.7% of imports, the Netherlands for 26.0%, and Ireland for 8.2%. Together, these three countries comprised 68.8% 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, M $ US

After two years of growth, Belgium's beef and buffalo meat imports declined in 2020. Import value amounted to 302.8 million US dollars, indicating a controlled 3.4% decrease year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 9.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 313.4 million US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 9.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Ireland accounted for the largest share of Belgium's beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms. The Netherlands represented 28.4% of imports, France 27.6%, and Ireland 19.0%. Combined, these three suppliers made up 75.0% 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