Concentrated or sweetened milk and cream market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian market for concentrated or sweetened milk and cream experienced a sharp contraction in 2019, driven by rising milk prices that increased production costs, reduced import competitiveness, and boosted export volumes. This trend reversed in 2020 when COVID-19 lockdowns spurred a 7-19% surge in dairy consumption, leading to increased deliveries and stock pressure, which expanded domestic production and market volume.

A 76% increase in concentrated milk output in 2021 became the primary growth driver, significantly enlarging the market despite a local milk supplier shortage that heightened import reliance. By 2022, a 47% annual jump in milk prices raised processors' costs, curbing processing volumes and stabilizing the overall market size amid ongoing global demand for dairy products like mozzarella.

From 2023, the sector adapted to shifting consumer preferences, notably through the CBL initiative to cut added sugars by 15%, which began reshaping product formulations and demand. Concurrently, producers diversified into segments like condensed milk and mozzarella, with condensed milk production rising 7% in 2024, supporting output even as the domestic market adjusted to these structural changes.

Production concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Belgium ranked as the 17th largest producer of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream, 2017-2020

Belgium's production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 465 K t, marking a 22.7% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 24.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 7.5%.

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

Exports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Belgium's exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream declined. In 2020, exports totaled 347.9 K t, a modest decrease of 4.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 9.8%, with an annualized rate of 3.2%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 365.3 K t, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 7.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium's exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. The Netherlands accounted for 24.4% of exports, France for 9.4%, and Algeria for 7.3%, with these three countries together making up only 41.1% 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 exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in value terms grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 864.2 M $ US, a modest increase of 7.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 20.1%, with an annualized growth rate of 6.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 709.7 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 1.4%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 13.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner landscape for Belgium's exports in value terms was diverse. The Netherlands accounted for 19.0% of exports, France for 11.2%, and Algeria for 7.8%, with these three countries together forming only 37.9% of total flows. The remaining 62.1% was distributed among many other countries.

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

World map of product's exports from Belgium in value, 2017-2020

Imports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Belgium's imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 169.7 K t, a decrease of 7.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 26.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.7%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 356.6 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 54.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 48.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and France were the principal suppliers of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Belgium. The Netherlands accounted for 54.8% of imports, Germany for 17.4%, and France for 13.5%, with these three countries together making up 85.7% 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 imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 337.8 M $ US, a decrease of 3.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 11.7%, with an annualized rate of -4.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 444.5 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 16.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 21.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and the United Kingdom remained the largest markets for Belgium's imports in value terms, together accounting for 76.8% 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