Lettuce and chicory market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian lettuce and chicory market expanded steadily from 493 thousand tons in 2018 to 578 thousand tons in 2022. This growth was underpinned by increased industry investments and production capacity expansion, particularly noted in 2018, which boosted domestic output. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, a shift towards home consumption supported demand for fresh vegetables, helping sustain market volume despite global supply chain disruptions.

Market volume declined to 533 thousand tons in 2023, a 7.6% drop from the previous year. The decrease coincided with a 17% surge in global import prices for lettuce and chicory, which raised costs and dampened consumer purchases. In 2024, new regulatory measures came into effect, including the Royal Decree on water quality in food processing and Belgium's alignment with EU food laws, setting stricter production standards and sustainability reporting requirements for the sector.

Production lettuce and chicory in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium ranked as the 11th largest producer of lettuce and chicory globally.

Top producers of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

World map of production of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

Belgium's lettuce and chicory production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 538.9 thousand tonnes, marking a 2.2% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production surged by 909.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 116.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market showed volatility over this period. Production reached its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 10.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the output was valued at 820.3 million US dollars, up 4.1% from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 0.6%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 881.6%.

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

Exports lettuce and chicory from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Belgium exported 56 681 tonnes of lettuce and chicory, a 3.7% decrease year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 6.6%, with an average annual decline of 2.2%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 56 033 tonnes. The largest drop was in 2018 at 7.7%, and the biggest rise was in 2019 at 5.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and the Netherlands remained the top buyers of Belgian lettuce and chicory by volume. Germany accounted for 32.4% of exports, France for 24.6%, and the Netherlands for 19.1%, together making up 76.1% of total exports.

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 lettuce and chicory exports in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 86.275 million US dollars, a slight decrease of 1.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped by 6%, with an average annual decline of 2.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, France, and the Netherlands contributed the most to export value. Germany held 39.1% of exports, France 23.3%, and the Netherlands 14.0%, collectively accounting for 76.4% 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 lettuce and chicory to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

Belgium's lettuce and chicory imports by volume fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 40 695 tonnes, down 7.7% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 17.4%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 6.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Spain, and France were the main sources of lettuce and chicory imports to Belgium by volume. The Netherlands supplied 50.5%, Spain 19.5%, and France 13.4%, together representing 83.5% 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, K $ US

In 2020, Belgium's lettuce and chicory imports in value terms reached 77.593 million US dollars, a 0.9% increase year-over-year. The lowest value was in 2019 at 76.890 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 82.363 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 6.6%, and the biggest increase was in 2018 at 5.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Italy, and Spain accounted for the largest share of import value. The Netherlands contributed 43.1%, Italy 24.8%, and Spain 15.8%, together comprising 83.7% of total import flows.

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

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