Frozen beef market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The frozen beef market in Belgium expanded significantly from $18.7 million in 2018 to $80.4 million in 2022. This growth was notably supported in 2021 by increased meat valuation and financial aid to cattle farmers recovering from droughts, which bolstered farm revenues. Throughout this period, demand remained robust with over 90% of Belgians consuming beef regularly.

Market growth decelerated to 4% in 2023, reaching $83.7 million, as consumers shifted towards more affordable frozen beef, particularly minced meat, amid economic pressures. Rising beef prices, driven by a declining cattle herd across Europe, further increased the market's value. By 2024, the market stabilized at $83.9 million, with price stability supported by seasonal demand around Ramadan and Easter, despite ongoing supply constraints from a shrinking herd in Wallonia and disease outbreaks affecting livestock.

Production frozen beef in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Belgium's frozen beef production experienced a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 49 361 thousand US dollars, representing a modest year-over-year decrease of 0.9%. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 64.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 17.9%. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 49 792 thousand US dollars, with the most significant increase that year reaching 48.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

After two consecutive years of expansion, Belgium's frozen beef production saw a downturn. In 2020, the country produced 8 675 tonnes of frozen beef, marking an 8.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 53.7%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 15.4%. The highest output was recorded in 2019 at 9 508 tonnes, with the largest annual increase that year at 62.8%.

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

Exports frozen beef from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

Belgium's frozen beef exports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 9 467 tonnes, reflecting a 6.0% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 26.4%, with a compound annual decline rate of 9.7%. The peak was in 2018 at 13 118 tonnes, while the sharpest decrease occurred in 2019 at 23.2%. The most notable increase was in 2018 at 2.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for Belgium's frozen beef exports in volume terms were Germany, accounting for 20.5% of exports, the United Kingdom at 16.3%, and the Netherlands with 14.5%. Together, these three countries represented 51.3% 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, K $ US

For the second consecutive year, the value of frozen beef exports from Belgium decreased. In 2020, export value stood at 36 574 thousand US dollars, indicating a moderate decline of 6.1% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 37.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 14.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 63 023 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline in 2019 at 38.2% and the most significant increase in 2018 at 8.0%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the leading destinations for Belgium's frozen beef exports in value terms were Germany, contributing 23.0% of export value, the Netherlands at 18.2%, and the United Kingdom with 13.0%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 54.2% of total export 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 frozen beef to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Belgium's frozen beef import volume declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 10 343 tonnes, showing a 5.9% reduction compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports increased by 15.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.9%. The peak volume was in 2019 at 10 989 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 15.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium's frozen beef imports in volume terms were predominantly sourced from France and the Netherlands, which together accounted for 82.6% of total import flows, while other origins played a minor role.

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

Belgium's frozen beef import value declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 41 633 thousand US dollars, down by 3.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 17.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.6%. The highest value was in 2018 at 48 072 thousand US dollars, with the largest decrease in 2019 at 10.1% and the most substantial increase in 2018 at 36.1%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Belgium's frozen beef imports in value terms were heavily concentrated on France and the Netherlands, whose combined share reached 80.1% of total import flows, with other sources contributing minimally.

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

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