Gin and geneva market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian gin and geneva market in value terms contracted significantly from $37.7 million in 2018 to $14.6 million by 2024. This decline was initially driven by a cumulative 71% increase in excise duties on spirits since 2013, which raised consumer prices and dampened consumption volumes. Regulatory developments in 2018, such as the health ministry's request for lower-risk alcohol consumption guidelines, set the stage for a more restrictive environment. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further reduced market activity, although some local producers innovated by distilling gin from unsold beer.

A temporary recovery to $22.5 million in 2022 was supported by the launch of new product segments like organic gin and limited editions, alongside promotional events such as the first Gin & Tonic Festival in Liège which boosted consumer interest. However, the trend toward premiumization, with growing demand for high-end craft gins featuring local ingredients, could not offset the broader market contraction. Strategic partnerships between Belgian distilleries and international players, like Filliers Distillery with Douglas Laing & Co in 2023, and the entry of premium brands such as Spanish Gin Mare into Belgian retail, diversified the offering but did not reverse the downward trend in overall market value.

The market continued to shrink in 2023 and 2024, pressured by persistently high excise duties and new regulations. In 2024, stricter drunk-driving controls, including the elimination of a waiting period for breathalyzer tests, indirectly affected spirits consumption. A European Court of Justice ruling that year also confirmed the ban on labeling non-alcoholic beverages as 'gin', influencing product labeling practices. These regulatory headwinds, coupled with a reported slight decline in gin consumption across Europe, contributed to the market's fall to $14.6 million in 2024, despite a dynamic landscape with over 200 local producers and ongoing festival activity.

Production gin and geneva in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Belgium's gin and geneva production was valued at 13 948 K $ US, marking a slight decline of 0.7% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 24.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K l

In 2020, Belgium produced 6 461 K liters of gin and geneva, representing a drop of 0.6% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 25.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.2%.

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

Exports gin and geneva from Belgium

Exports in kind, K l

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 2 782 K liters and peaked in 2017, with a 5.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Belgium's gin and geneva exports amounted to 4 064 K liters, reflecting a dramatic year-over-year increase of 46.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 75.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, K l

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of gin and geneva from Belgium were Luxembourg (41.7% of exports in kind), the Netherlands (33.7% of exports in kind), and the United Kingdom (7.0% of exports in kind). Together, these three countries accounted for 82.4% of total exports in kind.

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

Gin and geneva exports from Belgium declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 23 890 K $ US, equivalent to a slight fall of 2.2% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 28 156 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 13.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 16.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (31.4% of exports in value terms), Luxembourg (28.9% of exports in value terms), and Ghana (9.6% of exports in value terms) were the main destinations for gin and geneva from Belgium, together accounting for 69.9% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports gin and geneva to Belgium

Imports in kind, K l

After two years of decline, gin and geneva imports into Belgium increased. In 2020, imports totaled 5 520 K liters, indicating an abrupt rise of 45.3% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 800 K liters. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 4.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 17.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, K l

From 2017 to 2020, the principal suppliers of gin and geneva to Belgium were the United Kingdom (33.4% of imports in kind), Germany (32.3% of imports in kind), and the Netherlands (10.2% of imports in kind). Jointly, these three countries accounted for 76.0% of total imports in kind.

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

Imports of gin and geneva into Belgium declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Belgium imported 35 005 K $ US of gin and geneva, amounting to a strong decrease of 12.6% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 15.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 47 449 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 15.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 15.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources in the geographical breakdown of gin and geneva imports into Belgium were the United Kingdom (37.1% of imports in value terms), Germany (26.3% of imports in value terms), and the Netherlands (10.7% of imports in value terms). Together, these three countries represented 74.2% of total import flows in value terms.

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

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