Maize flour and cereals market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the Belgian maize flour and cereals market saw its physical volume fluctuate, peaking at 665 thousand tonnes in 2019 before declining to 613 thousand tonnes in 2023. In contrast, the market's value exhibited consistent growth, expanding from 263 million US dollars to 409 million US dollars over the same period, reflecting a notable increase in unit prices or a shift toward higher-value product segments.

Domestic production levels varied throughout the period, with a significant rise to 654 thousand tonnes in 2022 followed by a contraction to 633 thousand tonnes in 2023. These changes in output directly influenced the total volume of goods available on the domestic market.

International trade played a substantial role in shaping market size. A sharp drop in exports to 65 thousand tonnes in 2019 contributed to that year's high domestic availability, while imports grew steadily until 2021, reaching 110 thousand tonnes, before declining in subsequent years. Preliminary 2024 trade data indicates imports of 87 thousand tonnes and exports of 89 thousand tonnes, continuing the pattern where trade flows adjust overall market supply.

Production maize flour and cereals in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Belgium's production of maize flour and cereals declined after two years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 637.5 thousand tons, but by 2020 it had fallen slightly to 634.2 thousand tons, showing little change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 7.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.5%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 6.2%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

Belgium's exports of maize flour and cereals amounted to 104.1 thousand tons in 2020, representing a sharp increase of 60.9% compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 64.7 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2018 at 110.2 thousand tons. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 4.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 41.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom were the main destinations for Belgium's maize flour and cereals exports in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 40.2% of exports, France for 20.9%, and the United Kingdom for 12.4%. Together, these three countries absorbed 73.5% 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

In 2020, Belgium's cross-border shipments of maize flour and cereals were valued at 50 218 thousand US dollars, up by 67.2% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 30 034 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 50 313 thousand US dollars. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 32.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 9.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 40.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Germany remained the principal buyers of maize flour and cereals from Belgium in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 27.0% of exports, France for 20.2%, and Germany for 11.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented 59.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Belgium's imports of maize flour and cereals increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, with volumes rising by 7.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 17.7%, which corresponds to an average annual increase of 5.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany were the main sources of maize flour and cereals imports to Belgium in volume terms. France accounted for 40.5% of imports, the Netherlands for 23.8%, and Germany for 14.3%. Together, these three countries supplied 78.6% 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

Belgium's imports of maize flour and cereals increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, totaling 49 330 thousand US dollars, which marks a 13.1% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 37.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.3%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany were the main directions for maize flour and cereals imports to Belgium in value terms. France accounted for 34.0% of imports, the Netherlands for 27.1%, and Germany for 13.2%. Collectively, these three countries absorbed 74.3% of total import value.

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

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