Chicken meat and offal market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian chicken meat and offal market volume grew from 194.2 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 262.5 thousand tonnes in 2022. This expansion was fueled by a consumer shift toward chicken as a substitute for pork, alongside a broadening range of processed and alternative chicken products that attracted demand.

Market volume dropped to 209.3 thousand tonnes in 2023, pressured by rising energy and labor costs that lifted retail prices and tightened supply. Regulatory actions, including the Walloon animal welfare code that banned new cage systems from 2018 and strict temperature controls for meat storage enforced in 2019, introduced additional compliance costs for the industry.

Throughout the period, producers relied on fast-growing chicken breeds to maintain output, but faced squeezed profitability from high feed expenses and low supermarket pricing. By 2024, new labeling rules for poultry meat came into effect, requiring disclosure of farming methods and husbandry conditions, reflecting continued regulatory focus on animal welfare and consumer information.

Production chicken meat and offal in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

In 2020, Belgium produced 441.3 thousand tons of chicken meat and offal, showing little change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 3.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 440.5 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2018 at 461.6 thousand tons. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 4.6% decrease, whereas the largest increase was in 2018 at 1.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Belgium's chicken meat and offal production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 760.3 million US dollars, reflecting a slight decrease of 2.6% compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 816.0 million US dollars. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 with a 4.4% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 7.4%.

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

Exports chicken meat and offal from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belgium's exports of chicken meat and offal amounted to 448.5 thousand tons, remaining stable compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 4.4%, with an average annual decline of 1.5%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 448.3 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2018 at 476.6 thousand tons. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019 with a 5.9% drop, whereas the largest increase was in 2018 at 1.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany were the primary markets for Belgium's chicken meat and offal exports in volume terms. France accounted for 30.9% of exports, the Netherlands for 24.8%, and Germany for 12.9%, together representing 68.7% 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 chicken meat and offal export value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 772.6 million US dollars, equivalent to a 2.7% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 842.5 million US dollars. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 with a 5.7% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 7.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom—together accounted for 77.6% of Belgium's total chicken meat and offal 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 chicken meat and offal to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year increase, Belgium's imports of chicken meat and offal in volume terms declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 225.3 thousand tons, showing a gradual fall of 5.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 4.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.5%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 225.3 thousand tons, with the largest increase occurring that year at 7.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom were the main sources for Belgium's chicken meat and offal imports in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 57.2% of imports, France for 14.5%, and the United Kingdom for 11.6%, together representing 83.3% 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

After a two-year increase, Belgium's chicken meat and offal import value declined. In 2020, imports stood at 375.9 million US dollars, showing little change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 24%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 376.5 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 16.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Poland were the primary sources for Belgium's chicken meat and offal imports in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 61.7% of imports, France for 14.7%, and Poland for 13.0%, together representing 89.3% 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