Capsicum and pimenta fruits market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh capsicum and pimenta fruits in Belgium fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, reaching a peak of 49 418 metric tons in 2022. After growing from 39 967 metric tons in 2018 to 44 063 metric tons in 2020, volume dipped slightly in 2021 before jumping by 18% in 2022. The following year saw a sharp decline to 40 674 metric tons.

The strong volume increase in 2022 was driven by rising European consumer demand for healthy and plant-based foods, which boosted capsicum consumption. At the same time, investments in cold chain logistics and pre-cooling technologies improved supply efficiency, reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing product availability in the Belgian market.

Despite the volume drop in 2023, the market value continued to rise, reaching 88.1 million US dollars, up from 64.5 million US dollars in 2018. This indicates an increase in average prices or a shift toward higher-value product varieties over the period.

Production capsicum and pimenta fruits in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

World map of production of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

In 2020, Belgium produced 25,300 tons of capsicum and pimenta fruits, marking a 4.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 8.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.9%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, with a 5.7% reduction, while 2019 saw the largest increase at 2.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Belgium's capsicum and pimenta fruits production value rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 47,464 thousand US dollars, showing a modest 3.0% gain over 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 45,528 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the steepest decline of 2.9%.

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

Exports capsicum and pimenta fruits from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Belgium's exports of capsicum and pimenta fruits rebounded. In 2020, exports amounted to 33,965 tons, up 1.9% from 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 23.1%, averaging an 8.4% annual drop. The lowest level was in 2019 at 33,333 tons, with the sharpest fall occurring in 2018 at 19.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Germany were the main buyers of capsicum and pimenta fruits from Belgium, accounting for 41.1%, 19.8%, and 19.5% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they made up 80.4% of total exports in kind.

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

Following a two-year downturn, Belgium's capsicum and pimenta fruits export value increased. In 2020, exports reached 63,719 thousand US dollars, a robust 10.3% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 15.1%, with an average annual decrease of 5.3%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 57,749 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline was in 2018 at 17.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and France continued to be the key buyers of capsicum and pimenta fruits from Belgium in value terms, with shares of 36.9%, 21.3%, and 21.2%, respectively. Combined, they represented 79.3% 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 capsicum and pimenta fruits to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

Belgium's imports of capsicum and pimenta fruits grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 52,728 tons, a slight 4.9% increase over 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 2.8%, averaging a 0.9% annual decline. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 49,377 tons, which also saw the biggest drop of 8.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, the Netherlands and Spain were the leading sources for Belgium's capsicum and pimenta fruits imports in kind, together accounting for 91.2% of total flows, while other partners held much smaller shares.

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's capsicum and pimenta fruits import value rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 89,414 thousand US dollars, a 9.0% gain from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 2.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The minimum value was in 2018 at 80,914 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred that same year at 12.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and Spain remained the primary suppliers of capsicum and pimenta fruits to Belgium in value terms, jointly making up 90.4% of total imports, with other countries contributing the rest.

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

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