Maize market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The maize market volume in Belgium grew from 1 863 thousand tons in 2018 to 2 093 thousand tons in 2020. This expansion was initially supported by a relaxation of the definition of an active farmer, which increased the number of farms producing for sale, and by structured public support for organic agriculture through Wallonia's revised Strategic Plan for Organic Farming Development. The following year, a significant wave of conversion to certified organic areas, rising by 20%, further contributed to market growth, while in 2020, sustained organic consumption trends and maintained policy targets helped consolidate demand.

Market volume continued to rise modestly, peaking at 2 110 thousand tons in 2022 before a slight decrease to 2 083 thousand tons in 2023. The period saw the influence of major external events: in 2022, the suspension of EU customs duties on Ukrainian grains and the direct impact of the war in Ukraine on raw material prices and supply chains introduced significant volatility, yet overall consumption remained stable. The following year, abundant rainfall during the growing season contrasted with the prior drought and positively influenced maize yields, boosting domestic production, while adjustments in trade flows led to a minor contraction in total market size.

Production maize in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

In 2020, Belgium produced 421.0 K t of maize, representing a 1.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 30.8%, which translates to an annualized decline of 11.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 376.6 K t. That same year saw the largest decline of 38.1%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019 with a 14.0% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Maize production in Belgium increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 109.0 M $ US, up by 9.0% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, however, production decreased by 18.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -6.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 90.0 M $ US. That year also experienced the largest decline of 32.7%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 with an 11.1% rise.

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

Exports maize from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

Maize exports from Belgium declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 140 K t, showing a significant drop of 12.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 48.1%, equating to an annualized rate of -19.7%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 341 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 53.3% decrease, while the biggest increase was in 2018 with a 26.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands accounted for 71.1% of Belgium's total maize exports in kind, with the remaining share distributed among various smaller destinations.

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

Foreign maize supplies from Belgium declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the export value totaled 36.3 M $ US, marking a 2.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 38.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -15.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 81.5 M $ US. The largest decline happened in 2019 with a 54.4% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2018 with a 37.3% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands and France dominated Belgium's maize exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 91.1% of total flows, with other countries making up the remainder.

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 to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Belgium imported approximately 1 812 K t of maize in 2020, up by 4.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 10.3%, which corresponds to an annualized growth rate of 3.3%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 827 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 4.7% decrease, while the biggest increase was in 2018 with an 11.2% rise.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Ukraine were the main sources for Belgium's maize imports in kind, together accounting for 92.7% of the total. Specifically, France contributed 46.1%, the Netherlands 23.5%, and Ukraine 23.1%.

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 2020, Belgium's maize import value reached 417.4 M $ US, reflecting a modest increase of 8.1% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 14.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 with a 5.5% decrease, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 with a 12.5% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—France, the Netherlands, and Ukraine—collectively absorbed 91.2% of Belgium's total maize imports 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