Malt market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, Belgium solidified its position as Europe's fourth-largest malt producer, supported by six domestic malthouses. However, the market faced increasing competition from new maltings in Eastern Europe, which pressured local producers and influenced the industry structure. The market volume then experienced a sharp contraction in 2020, falling to 494 thousand tons.

Following a recovery in 2021, the market stabilized in 2022 at 646 thousand tons. During this period, a 6% decline in Belgian beer production between 2022 and 2023 dampened local demand for malt. Concurrently, a significant expansion of brewing barley cultivation in Wallonia and the growth ambitions of producers like Belgomalt, which produced 32 thousand tons, strengthened the local supply base. These developments were set against a backdrop of rising energy and agricultural raw material costs, exacerbated by the crisis in Ukraine, which increased production expenses.

The market volume surged to 976 thousand tons in 2023. This growth occurred alongside a continued increase in barley cultivation area and sustained demand from brewers for local and quality-driven products, even as national beer production declined. By 2024, the market volume saw a slight adjustment to 965 thousand tons, remaining at a historically high level.

Production malt in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

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 7th largest producer of malt between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of malt, 2017-2020

World map of production of malt, 2017-2020

In 2020, Belgium produced 929 thousand tons of malt, marking an 18.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 16%, which translates to an annualized decline of 5.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 137 thousand tons, with the largest year-on-year increase of 8.8% also occurring that year.

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

Exports malt from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belgium's malt exports reached 739.4 thousand tons, representing a 7.5% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 2.7%, averaging an annualized drop of 0.9%. The peak export volume was in 2019 at 799.6 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 6.1% during this period.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium exported malt to a diverse range of markets. Even the top three destinations—the Netherlands, Nigeria, and Brazil—collectively accounted for only 31.8% of total exports by volume.

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

After rising for two consecutive years, Belgium's malt exports in value terms declined in 2020, totaling 318.9 million US dollars—a sharp drop of 13.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, exports increased by 5.8%, with an annualized growth rate of 1.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 370.4 million US dollars, while the largest increase of 13.2% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium's malt exports in value terms were distributed across a broad portfolio of buyers. The top three countries—the Netherlands (13.9% of export value), Nigeria (8.7%), and Brazil (7.3%)—together contributed just 30.0% of total export value, with many other countries holding smaller but notable shares.

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

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

Imports malt to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belgium's malt imports stood at 305.0 thousand tons, down 16.3% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 20.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 7.4%. The largest increase during this period was a modest 1.2% in 2019.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, France dominated Belgium's malt imports by volume, accounting for 78.9% of total flows, while other countries 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

Belgium's malt imports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 118.9 million US dollars—a significant reduction of 14.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports fell by 11.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.0%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 139.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 4.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France accounted for 76.2% of Belgium's total malt imports by value, with the remaining share distributed among many other countries, each holding smaller individual portions.

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

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