Carrots and turnips market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the Belgian market for fresh carrots and turnips experienced notable volatility in volume, which declined from 404.3 thousand tons to 323.2 thousand tons. Throughout this period, production was underpinned by major players such as Kimco N.V., one of Europe's largest carrot producers, with investments in cold storage ensuring year-round availability. Companies like Dendauw-Stragier also invested in washing and packaging facilities for fresh carrots, while consumer interest in healthy eating sustained demand for organic products, a segment that saw continuous growth.

A sharp contraction brought market volume down to 301.9 thousand tons in 2020, followed by a strong recovery to 444.3 thousand tons in 2021, coinciding with reported carrot cultivation areas of around 940 hectares in Wallonia. Subsequent declines in 2022 and 2023 occurred as price remained a predominant factor influencing consumer choice. Belgian processors responded by diversifying their offerings with value-added products like pre-packaged carrot sticks and mini-carrots, catering to the growing demand for convenient and plant-based alternatives.

Regulatory developments in 2024 began shaping the market environment, including a Royal Decree from July targeting unfair practices in the agricultural supply chain and updated marketing standards for fruits and vegetables. Retailers such as Colruyt committed to offering more Belgian-origin produce, supporting local growers, while economic factors like reduced purchasing power continued to influence consumer behavior.

Production carrots and turnips in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium ranked 24th globally in the production of carrots and turnips.

Top producers of carrots and turnips, 2017-2020

World map of production of carrots and turnips, 2017-2020

Belgium's production of carrots and turnips declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 258.6 thousand tonnes, marking a significant drop of 19.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 31.9%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 12.0%.

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

Exports carrots and turnips from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

Belgium's exports of carrots and turnips grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 222.9 thousand tonnes, an increase of 8.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 18.1%, averaging an annual growth rate of 5.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 172.4 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 8.6%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 19.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and the Netherlands were the dominant destinations for Belgium's carrot and turnip exports, together accounting for 81.0% of the total volume. Other countries held much smaller shares during this period.

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

Belgium's export value of carrots and turnips increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 77 169 thousand US dollars, showing a modest rise of 7.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 42.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—France, Germany, and the Netherlands—collectively made up 85.7% of Belgium's total carrot and turnip 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 carrots and turnips to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Belgium's imports of carrots and turnips rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 266.2 thousand tonnes, a slight increase of 1.7% from 2019. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 253.1 thousand tonnes, which experienced the largest decline of 4.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a growth of 3.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the clear leader in Belgium's carrot and turnip imports, capturing 74.8% of the total volume. Other countries each held significantly smaller shares during this time.

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

In 2020, Belgium's import value of carrots and turnips was 60 273 thousand US dollars, a slight uptick of 3.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 3.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 69 664 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 19.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 16.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and France were the primary partners for Belgium's carrot and turnip imports in value terms, together accounting for 87.0% of total flows, while other partners made up the remainder.

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

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