Ice cream market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Belgian ice cream market volume grew steadily, reaching 109.4 тыс. т in 2020. Sales increased by 15% that year as consumers sought comfort during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in tubs and single-serve segments. Competitive pressure from Eastern European manufacturers offering low-cost ice cream spurred local players to focus on innovation and quality to maintain market position.

After a temporary dip to 103.4 тыс. т in 2021, market volume rebounded to 118.0 тыс. т in 2022. Belgium solidified its role as a top-five European ice cream producer, raising output by 20 million liters compared to the prior year. Continuous product launches, such as Unilever’s premium triple-layer and yogurt-style variants, along with packaging improvements, stimulated demand. However, the war in Ukraine drove up costs for raw materials like milk and chocolate, squeezing producers’ margins.

In 2023, market volume eased to 112.2 тыс. т amid persistent inflation that increased input and finished product prices. Innovation in functional and premium ice cream continued to attract consumers. The following year saw a sharp jump to 167.8 тыс. т, indicating a significant expansion in market volume.

Production ice cream in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, Belgium's ice cream production was valued at 369.6 million US dollars, which marked the lowest point in the period. However, production rebounded in 2020, reaching 386.7 million US dollars, representing a moderate increase of 4.6% compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader timeframe from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 3.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The peak was observed in 2018 at 412.9 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 11.0%. Conversely, 2019 experienced the most significant decline of 10.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Belgium ranked as the 9th largest producer of ice cream between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of ice cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of ice cream, 2017-2020

In 2019, Belgium produced 182.7 thousand tonnes of ice cream, showing a slight rise of 0.6% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 2.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The highest output was recorded in 2018 at 187.8 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 5.7%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most notable decline of 3.3%.

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

Exports ice cream from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belgium exported 133.2 thousand tonnes of ice cream, representing a gain of 1.4% compared to the previous year. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 137.7 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 5.1%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 4.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and France were the primary destinations for Belgium's ice cream exports in terms of volume. Germany accounted for 32.5% of exports, followed by the Netherlands at 18.8%, and France at 10.3%. Together, these three countries made up 61.5% 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, M $ US

In 2019, Belgium's ice cream exports were valued at 379.6 million US dollars, the lowest point in the period. By 2020, exports had risen to 408.8 million US dollars, reflecting a limited uptick of 7.7% from the previous year. Over the entire span from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 6.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.2%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 5.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and France were the key contributors to Belgium's ice cream exports in value terms. Germany led with 33.3% of exports, followed by the Netherlands at 16.2%, and France at 10.5%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 60.0% 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 ice cream to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Belgium's ice cream imports have been on an upward trend, increasing for the second consecutive year. In 2019, imports reached 60.0 thousand tonnes, up by 6.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 6.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.2%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 53.8 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 4.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and the Netherlands were the main sources for Belgium's ice cream imports in terms of volume, jointly accounting for 84.7% of total flows. Other trading partners each held significantly smaller shares.

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

In 2019, Belgium's ice cream imports were valued at 173.7 million US dollars, up by 3.0% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 6%, with an annualized growth rate of 2.0%. The peak was in 2018 at 174.5 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 6.5%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 3.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium's ice cream imports in value terms were primarily directed towards France and the Netherlands, whose combined share reached 85.9% of total flows. Other destinations played a secondary role in the import structure.

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

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