Limestone flux, limestone and calcareous stone market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The market for limestone flux, limestone and calcareous stone in Belgium expanded significantly in volume from 1 502 thousand tons in 2020 to 2 562 thousand tons in 2023. This growth was primarily driven by rising demand from the construction and cement manufacturing sectors, where limestone is a key raw material valued for its cost-effectiveness.

Regional dynamics, including active limestone quarrying in France which supplies over half of its calcareous stone, supported material availability for the Belgian market. In 2024, the market volume contracted to 2 349 thousand tons, a shift that coincided with the spread of decarbonization initiatives in lime production across the region, influencing industrial energy use and supply chains.

Production limestone flux, limestone and calcareous stone in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

Exports limestone flux, limestone and calcareous stone from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

After declining for two consecutive years, Belgium's exports of limestone flux, limestone, and calcareous stone increased in volume. In 2020, exports reached 937 K t, marking a 3.3% improvement compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 38.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -14.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 907 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 31.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the primary market for Belgium's limestone flux, limestone, and calcareous stone exports in volume terms, accounting for 81.6% of total exports. Other destinations made up a smaller portion of the 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

In 2020, Belgium exported limestone flux, limestone, and calcareous stone worth 18 266 K US dollars, representing a 7.8% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 16.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -5.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 16 946 K US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 22 151 K US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 23.5%.

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

During 2017–2020, the Netherlands dominated Belgium's exports of limestone flux, limestone, and calcareous stone in value terms, capturing 77.5% of total flows. The remaining exports were distributed among a variety of other markets.

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

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

Imports limestone flux, limestone and calcareous stone to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes showed irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 175 K t, while the lowest was in 2017, representing a sixfold difference. In 2020, Belgium imported 142 K t of limestone flux, limestone, and calcareous stone, down by 4.0% year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 15.4%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 497.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain and France together accounted for 90.6% of Belgium's total imports of limestone flux, limestone, and calcareous stone in volume terms. The rest of the imports were spread across other markets.

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

The import market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. The peak value was in 2018 at 2 426 K US dollars, and the trough was in 2017, with a 1.9-fold gap between them. In 2020, Belgium imported limestone flux, limestone, and calcareous stone worth 2 242 K US dollars, up by 35.6% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 31.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 90.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Spain, and the Netherlands were the top sources for Belgium's imports of limestone flux, limestone, and calcareous stone in value terms. France accounted for 35.9% of imports, Spain for 35.2%, and the Netherlands for 12.2%, together comprising 83.3% 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