Beef, sheep or goat fat market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

After an initial contraction in 2019 linked to a shift in consumer preferences toward poultry meat, which reduced red meat output, the market for beef, sheep, and goat fats in Belgium grew in 2020. This recovery was supported by CAP reform measures and drought-related state aid, which bolstered cattle producers. However, from 2021 onward, the market volume entered a period of decline as the industry faced mounting pressures.

The closure of several slaughterhouses, including the Ciney facility in 2023, constrained local processing capacity, while rising feed and production costs squeezed farmer margins. These factors contributed to the market shrinking to 114.7 thousand tonnes in 2023. A sharp rebound followed in 2024, with volume jumping to 161.6 thousand tonnes, fueled by heightened demand during religious holidays such as Ramadan and Easter.

Production beef, sheep or goat fat in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Belgium's beef, sheep, or goat fat production was valued at 36 256 thousand US dollars, marking an 11.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium ranked as the 25th largest global producer of beef, sheep, or goat fat by volume.

Top producers of beef, sheep or goat fat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef, sheep or goat fat, 2017-2020

In 2020, Belgium produced 46 691 tonnes of beef, sheep, or goat fat, representing an 18.2% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 7.4%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 2.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 39 500 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 11.0%.

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

Exports beef, sheep or goat fat from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belgium exported 16.9 thousand tonnes of beef, sheep, or goat fat, reflecting a 12.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 17.1%, with a compound annual decline of 6.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 6.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and France were the primary markets for Belgium's beef, sheep, or goat fat exports by volume, accounting for 26.4%, 20.3%, and 18.4% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 65.0% 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

In 2020, Belgium's beef, sheep, or goat fat exports amounted to 16.0 million US dollars, showing a slight decline of 1.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 12.3%, with a compound annual decline of 4.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 15.9 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest drop of 13.3%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, at 2.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Germany consistently led Belgium's beef, sheep, or goat fat exports by value, accounting for 20.4%, 19.8%, and 19.2% of exports, respectively. Collectively, these three countries made up 59.4% 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 beef, sheep or goat fat to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Belgium's imports of beef, sheep, or goat fat declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 139.2 thousand tonnes, a 4.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 10.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2018 at 147.5 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 16.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany were consistently the main sources for Belgium's beef, sheep, or goat fat imports by volume, representing 52.0%, 20.1%, and 13.6% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 85.7% of total import flows.

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

In 2020, Belgium imported 108.5 million US dollars worth of beef, sheep, or goat fat, a 15.4% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 9.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.1%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 94.0 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 5.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany were the largest suppliers of beef, sheep, or goat fat to Belgium by value, accounting for 50.6%, 19.5%, and 13.4% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries formed 83.5% 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