Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

After a slight dip in bread consumption in 2018, Belgian consumers returned to eating more bread in 2019, with volume consumption rising by 1.5%. This shift contributed to the market volume growing from 88.1 thousand tons in 2018 to 106.8 thousand tons in 2019. The market then surged to 151.1 thousand tons in 2020, marking a significant expansion during the period.

Market volume eased to 142.8 thousand tons in 2021 but stabilized in 2022 at 145.6 thousand tons. This stabilization was partly supported by the market leader's expansion of its retail network, with plans to open 10 to 20 new sales points in Belgium in 2022 to meet omni-channel demand. However, in 2023 the market contracted sharply to 112.7 thousand tons.

Throughout the period, product innovation from major players and a growing consumer preference for artisanal and organic baked goods shaped the market landscape, while rising bread prices in 2022 influenced purchasing behavior.

Production bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium ranked as the 15th largest global producer of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares.

Top producers of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares, 2017-2020

World map of production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares, 2017-2020

Belgium's production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 387 K t, marking a 7.5% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 40.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.0%.

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

Exports bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Belgium's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares fell. In 2020, exports totaled 594.9 K t, down 7.0% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 4.3%, averaging 1.4% per year. The highest volume was in 2019 at 639.6 K t, while the largest annual rise occurred in 2018 with an 8.5% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany were Belgium's key export partners for these goods in volume terms. France accounted for 26.5% of exports, the Netherlands for 20.1%, and Germany for 12.1%, together making up 58.8% 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

Belgium's export value of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 1 826 M $ US, a slight decrease of 1.8% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 5.7%, with an average annual rate of 1.9%. The peak was in 2018 at 1 957 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 13.3%. The biggest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 5.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom were the top destinations for Belgium's exports in value terms. France represented 24.7% of export value, the Netherlands 20.4%, and the United Kingdom 10.9%, collectively accounting for 56.1% 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 bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Belgium's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in volume terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 359.3 K t, down 7.1% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 9.3%, averaging a 3.2% annual drop. The highest volume was in 2018 at 407.5 K t, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 2.8%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, France, the Netherlands, and Germany were the main sources for Belgium's imports in volume terms. France contributed 29.0% of imports, the Netherlands 26.4%, and Germany 16.4%, together representing 71.8% 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

Belgium's import value of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1 022 M $ US, a 2.9% decrease from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 074 M $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 5.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany were the primary sources for Belgium's imports in value terms. France accounted for 32.0% of import value, the Netherlands for 25.8%, and Germany for 15.7%, collectively making up 73.5% 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