Bituminous mixtures market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian bituminous mixtures market opened at 2 290 thousand tons in 2018, with production adhering to strict European quality standards for aggregates. Volume then rose to 2 605 thousand tons in 2019, though market value edged down to 151.6 million $. A contraction followed in 2020, reducing volume to 2 256 thousand tons and value to 128.1 million $.

Stability returned in 2021 as volume held near 2 260 thousand tons while value increased to 143.6 million $, influenced by the EDGAR project that encouraged greener mixtures in public tenders. The market surged in 2022 to 2 662 thousand tons and 183 million $, propelled by a Walloon royal decree that advanced payments on public contracts to counter economic fallout from the Ukraine war. Bitumen price hikes from the conflict simultaneously drove up costs and market prices.

Post-2022, volume gradually softened to 2 579 thousand tons in 2023 and 2 511 thousand tons in 2024, whereas value continued upward to 192.6 million $ and 199.5 million $, indicating a sustained move toward higher-value, recycled mixtures and persistent input cost pressures.

Production bituminous mixtures in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Belgium's production of bituminous mixtures declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 160.9 million US dollars, marking a 12.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 21.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 185.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 40.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Following two years of growth, Belgium's production of bituminous mixtures declined. In 2020, 2 367 thousand tonnes were produced, reflecting a significant 11.0% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 19.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.0%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 2 659 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 21.5%.

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

Exports bituminous mixtures from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports varied significantly, with a low in 2019 and a high in 2018, resulting in a two-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Belgium's exports of bituminous mixtures reached 134.6 thousand tonnes, indicating a substantial 97.6% increase from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 68.1 thousand tonnes, while the maximum was in 2018 at 137.9 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 50.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France was the dominant market for exports in kind, accounting for 82.2% of total flows, with other countries making up the remaining share.

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, Belgium's exports of bituminous mixtures reached 46 874 thousand US dollars, showing an 8.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 31.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 3.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 25.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg were the main buyers of bituminous mixtures from Belgium in value terms. France accounted for 58.6% of exports, the Netherlands for 14.5%, and Luxembourg for 8.6%, together comprising 81.6% 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 bituminous mixtures to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2017, with a 2.4-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Belgium's imports of bituminous mixtures totalled 23.6 thousand tonnes, marking a sharp 76.5% increase from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 13.4 thousand tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 58.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland consistently remained the main sources for imports in kind. The Netherlands accounted for 46.3% of imports, Germany for 29.1%, and Poland for 10.0%, together representing 85.4% of total 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, K $ US

After a two-year decline, Belgium's imports of bituminous mixtures increased. In 2020, imports totalled 14 088 thousand US dollars, indicating a dramatic 38.7% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 10.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 10 157 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 23.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland formed the key group of partners for imports in value terms to Belgium. Germany accounted for 29.6% of imports, the Netherlands for 28.6%, and Poland for 21.3%, jointly representing 79.5% of total flows.

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

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