Cu tubes and pipes market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

Production of copper tubes and pipes in Belgium grew consistently from 1 214 t in 2020 to 2 292 t in 2024. The market volume, however, showed fluctuations: it stood at 11 258 t in 2020, edged down to 10 800 t in 2022, climbed to 12 118 t in 2023, then fell sharply to 9 586 t by 2024.

The market contraction in 2022 aligned with Belgium's prohibition on copper-based phytopharmaceuticals in potato cultivation from that year, which reduced overall copper demand. The steeper decline in 2024 was primarily driven by the progressive dismantling of the copper telecommunications network in favor of fiber optics, curtailing demand for copper pipes in cabling. This was compounded by a significant rise in copper prices, which increased costs and further suppressed market volume.

A period of global market expansion for copper tubes and pipes around 2021, involving major international players, provided a supportive backdrop that was reflected in Belgium's import trends. Additionally, a slight increase in business creations within the construction sector during 4 offered some underlying demand support, though it was insufficient to counterbalance the impact of the network phase-out.

Production copper tubes and pipes in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

Exports copper tubes and pipes from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

In 2019, Belgium's exports of copper tubes and pipes reached their lowest point at 592 tons. However, in 2020, exports increased by 2.9% to 609 tons. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 14.4%, with an average annual decrease of 5.1%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 718 tons, while the most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 17.5% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg were the three main markets for Belgium's copper tubes and pipes exports, collectively accounting for 83.4% of the total export volume.

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

In 2019, Belgium's exports of copper tubes and pipes in value terms hit a low of 6 660 thousand US dollars. The following year, in 2020, exports rose by 1.3% to 6 744 thousand US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 9.8%, with an average annual decline of 3.4%. The peak value was in 2018 at 8 108 thousand US dollars, with the largest drop of 17.9% occurring in 2019 and the highest increase of 8.5% in 2018.

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

During 2017-2020, France, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg remained the primary buyers of copper tubes and pipes from Belgium in value terms. France accounted for 41.7% of exports, the Netherlands for 27.5%, and Luxembourg for 6.6%, together making up 75.8% 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 copper tubes and pipes to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

In 2018, Belgium's imports of copper tubes and pipes in volume terms were at their lowest at 7 903 tons, marking a 4.5% decline. The following year, in 2019, imports surged by 29.0%, and in 2020, they continued to grow by 4.5% to 10 654 tons. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 28.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Greece, and Slovakia were the main sources for Belgium's imports of copper tubes and pipes in volume terms. Germany contributed 35.5%, Greece 14.4%, and Slovakia 8.5%, together representing 58.5% of total import volume.

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 2019, Belgium's imports of copper tubes and pipes in value terms peaked at 86 786 thousand US dollars, following an 8.0% increase in 2018. However, in 2020, imports fell by 5.8% to 81 713 thousand US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 8%, with an average annual increase of 2.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Slovakia, and Greece continued to be the leading sources for Belgium's imports of copper tubes and pipes in value terms. Germany held a 30.3% share, Slovakia 15.5%, and Greece 12.0%, collectively accounting for 57.8% of total import value.

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

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