Milk powder market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian milk powder market volume showed significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2020, starting at 96.5 thousand tonnes before dropping to 69.9 thousand tonnes in 2019 and recovering to 92.9 thousand tonnes in 2020. Domestic production of milk powder was strong at 223.5 thousand tonnes in 2018, supported by a broader 10% increase in fresh dairy product output that year. After a production dip in 2019, output rebounded to 222.6 thousand tonnes in 2020, aided by increased overall dairy production in Belgium, excluding cheese and ice cream.

Market volume grew sharply to 123.3 thousand tonnes in 2021, driven by a surge in imports to 137.7 thousand tonnes which offset a decline in domestic production. A major expansion occurred in 2022, with market volume peaking at 167.1 thousand tonnes and production recovering to 224.2 thousand tonnes. This growth was fueled by continued production increases from key players like Eurosérum (a subsidiary of Sodiaal) and the Isigny Ste-Mère cooperative, particularly in infant milk powder. Furthermore, lower cocoa prices in Europe stimulated local demand for milk powder as a key ingredient.

In 2023, the market volume contracted to 123.0 thousand tonnes while production stabilized at 222.6 thousand tonnes. The market was influenced by high production costs and moderate demand, reflecting a sluggish global dairy environment that affected European producers. Milk powder prices, while remaining elevated, underwent a downward correction from their 2022 inflationary peak, impacting processor margins. European public intervention mechanisms, designed to stabilize the dairy market, continued to shape the regulatory landscape into 2024.

Production milk powder in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

Top producers of milk powder, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk powder, 2017-2020

In 2020, Belgium produced 223 K t of milk powder, marking a 4.1% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.6%, averaging an annualized rate of 2.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 223 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 4.3%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, at 7.0%.

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

Exports milk powder from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Belgium's milk powder export volume decreased in 2020. That year, exports totaled 224.0 K t, reflecting a moderate decline of 9.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 4.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.4%. The peak export volume was in 2019 at 246.8 K t, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 7.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium exported milk powder to numerous countries. Even the top destinations—the Netherlands, Algeria, and Indonesia—collectively accounted for only 36.9% of total exports in 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

Belgium's milk powder export value increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 611.0 M $ US, a 9.6% rise year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 17.1%, averaging an annualized rate of 5.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 487.5 M $ US, with the largest decline that year at 6.6%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, at 14.4%.

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

During 2017-2020, Belgium's milk powder exports in value terms were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. The Netherlands (14.1% of export value), Algeria (11.0%), and France (8.6%) together represented just 33.7% 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 milk powder to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Belgium's milk powder import volume declined for the second year in a row in 2020, totaling 94.3 K t, which was an 8.3% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 4.1%, with a CAGR of 1.4%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 104.8 K t, and the largest increase was also in 2018, at 6.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (40.8% of import volume), the United Kingdom (18.5%), and Germany (17.3%) were the primary suppliers of milk powder to Belgium, together making up 76.7% of total imports in volume.

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 milk powder import value decreased for the second consecutive year in 2020, amounting to 247.8 M $ US, a 3.8% reduction compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 2.3%, with a CAGR of 0.8%. The peak value was in 2018 at 259.3 M $ US, and the largest increase was also in 2018, at 7.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands (32.6% of import value), the United Kingdom (23.8%), and Germany (19.5%) contributed the most to Belgium's milk powder imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 75.9% 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