Fresh or chilled whole chickens market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Walloon ban on caged laying hens encouraged producers to develop alternative supply chains like organic and free-range, setting the stage for market diversification. The following year, BELKI's launch of 100% recyclable organic chickens and the EU-mandated labeling of farming methods further expanded product offerings, supporting market volume growth to 102.1 K t.

Consumer preference shifted decisively toward chicken parts in 2020, reducing demand for whole birds and cutting market volume to 82.7 K t. Recovery began in 2021 as supermarket price pressure boosted sales volume to 87.2 K t, while the strengthened 'Meilleure Vie' animal welfare label raised production costs. The 2022 avian flu outbreak caused supply shortages and higher prices, and updated EU feed regulations increased production costs, driving market value to 179.7 M $ US alongside volume growth to 99.0 K t.

A sharp 42% price surge for whole chickens in 2023, driven by higher energy costs and limited supply, coincided with a drop in imports, shrinking market volume to 86.6 K t. By 2024, Belgian poultry consumption rose 3.8% as consumers substituted away from pork, lifting domestic demand and returning the whole chicken market to 97.3 K t in volume and 177.5 M $ US in value.

Production fresh or chilled whole chickens in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Belgium's production of fresh or chilled whole chickens declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 160.4 million US dollars, marking a 16.1% drop compared to 2019. Looking back from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 9.9%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 3.4%. The peak was reached in 2018, with a value of 201.5 million US dollars, and that year also saw the largest increase at 13.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

After two years of growth, Belgium's production of fresh or chilled whole chickens turned downward. In 2020, the country produced 100.0 thousand tonnes, showing a significant 17.2% decline from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 8.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.9%. The highest output was recorded in 2019 at 120.7 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 8.0%.

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

Exports fresh or chilled whole chickens from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Belgium's exports of fresh or chilled whole chickens amounted to 33 666 tonnes, reflecting a modest 2.7% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 2.2%, averaging an annual decline of 0.7%. The peak was in 2019 with 34 595 tonnes, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 0.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands—collectively accounted for 88.9% of Belgium's total exports of fresh or chilled whole chickens by 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

Belgium's exports of fresh or chilled whole chickens declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 67 847 thousand US dollars, showing a slight 2.9% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 73 059 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase at 5.3%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 4.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands were the core markets for Belgium's exports of fresh or chilled whole chickens by value. The United Kingdom accounted for 46.5% of exports, France for 29.4%, and the Netherlands for 11.5%, together making up 87.5% 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 fresh or chilled whole chickens to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

Belgium's imports of fresh or chilled whole chickens increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 16 367 tonnes, indicating a small 2.7% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 4.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 15 445 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline at 1.3%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 3.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, France, the Netherlands, and Poland were the main sources for Belgium's imports of fresh or chilled whole chickens by volume. France contributed 33.3% of imports, the Netherlands 32.3%, and Poland 32.2%, collectively representing 97.7% 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 2020, Belgium imported fresh or chilled whole chickens valued at 67 847 thousand US dollars, representing a 4.8% increase year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 7.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France and the Netherlands together accounted for 80.1% of Belgium's total imports of fresh or chilled whole chickens by value, with the remaining share distributed among smaller markets.

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

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