Dog or cat food for retail sale market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian market for retail dog and cat food expanded from 286.9 million US dollars in 2018 to 303.4 million US dollars in 2020. This initial growth was supported by a 10.8% increase in the dog population since 2018 and higher average spending per owner. The COVID-19 pandemic further boosted demand in 2020, as pet adoptions rose by up to 20% and remote work led owners to spend more on pet food and care.

After a temporary contraction to 240.8 million US dollars in 2021, the market value rebounded and surged to 384.2 million US dollars by 2024. A key driver from 2022 onward was sharp price inflation for animal feed, with suppliers seeking increases of up to 40% due to the energy crisis and the war in Ukraine. Concurrently, consumers increasingly opted for premium, healthy, and sustainable products, which lifted average prices and market value despite some volume declines.

Regulatory developments reinforced market trends. Belgium incorporated animal welfare into its constitution in 2024, while earlier Walloon and Brussels laws mandated proper feeding and care. New entrants and innovations, such as personalized natural foods and pet‑friendly services like dog cafés, added dynamism and expanded the market’s scope.

Production dog or cat food for retail sale in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Belgium's production of dog or cat food for retail sale was valued at 168.1 million US dollars, marking a 15.0% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 28.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 8.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Belgium produced 149.9 thousand tonnes of dog or cat food for retail sale, a 4.4% rise compared to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 16%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%.

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

Exports dog or cat food for retail sale from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

Belgium's exports of dog or cat food for retail sale grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 117.2 thousand tonnes, showing a solid increase of 13.4% over 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 18.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 98.5 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 0.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium's exports in kind were distributed across a diverse range of partners. The Netherlands accounted for 19.2% of exports, Denmark for 14.1%, and France for 14.0%, together making up 47.2% of total flows. The remaining 52.8% was spread among numerous smaller markets.

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 dog or cat food for retail sale in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 211.1 million US dollars, a significant advance of 16.9% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 42%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium's exports in value terms were not heavily concentrated. The Netherlands held 14.8% of exports, France 14.5%, and Denmark 13.2%, together accounting for 42.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports dog or cat food for retail sale to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Belgium's imports of dog or cat food for retail sale rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 229.3 thousand tonnes, up by 1.6% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 3.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 213.4 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 3.9%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 5.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany were the main suppliers of dog or cat food for retail sale to Belgium. France contributed 40.1% of imports in kind, the Netherlands 22.4%, and Germany 19.9%, together comprising 82.4% of total imports.

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 dog or cat food for retail sale in value terms grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 346.4 million US dollars, an 11.7% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 16.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany accounted for the largest share of Belgium's imports in value terms. France made up 32.0% of imports, the Netherlands 24.3%, and Germany 22.5%, together totaling 78.8% of all flows.

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

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