Natural stone setts, curbstones and flagstones market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, Belgium's trade in natural stone setts, curbstones and flagstones saw considerable fluctuations. Imports of these products peaked at $53.2 million in 2021, while exports reached their highest level at $32.8 million the same year, indicating strong international activity. The following years marked a shift in the market structure.

From 2022 onwards, domestic production grew steadily, increasing from $14.8 million to $18.0 million by 2024. However, the total market size, calculated as production plus imports minus exports, declined over this period. It was measured at $24.3 million in 2022, edged slightly lower to $24.0 million in 2023, and then contracted significantly to $16.8 million in 2024.

The notable drop in the market value in 2024 was driven by a sharp decrease in imports, which fell by over 25% to $24.2 million. At the same time, exports remained elevated at $25.4 million, resulting in a smaller net contribution from trade to the domestic market volume.

Production natural stone setts, curbstones and flagstones in Belgium

According to Faostat, there is no production of natural stone setts, curbstones and flagstones in Belgium.

Exports natural stone setts, curbstones and flagstones from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belgium exported 126.3 thousand tons of natural stone setts, curbstones, and flagstones, representing a significant 22.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 85.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 22.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 8.2%, while the highest increase was recorded in 2018, reaching 64.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany were the top buyers of Belgium's natural stone setts, curbstones, and flagstones, accounting for 45.7%, 29.7%, and 13.4% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 88.8% of total exports in kind.

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

Belgium's exports of natural stone setts, curbstones, and flagstones grew for the third consecutive year, reaching 23 897 thousand US dollars in 2020, a 30.6% rise from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 142.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 34.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany remained the leading destinations for Belgium's exports in value terms, with shares of 45.0%, 23.9%, and 12.5%, respectively. Combined, these three countries accounted for 81.4% 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 natural stone setts, curbstones and flagstones to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belgium imported 191.3 thousand tons of natural stone setts, curbstones, and flagstones, a 15.8% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 36%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.8%. The largest decline was in 2019, at 12.0%, while the highest increase occurred in 2018, at 33.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Vietnam, and China were the primary sources for Belgium's imports in kind, together representing 79.0% of total import 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, K $ US

In 2020, Belgium imported 36 370 thousand US dollars worth of natural stone setts, curbstones, and flagstones, marking a 16.3% improvement from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 26.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 8.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 10.5%, while the highest increase was in 2018, at 21.3%.

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

Over 2017-2020, Vietnam, China, and India were the main sources for Belgium's imports in value terms, with shares of 36.7%, 24.8%, and 19.7%, respectively. Together, these three countries absorbed 81.1% of total import value for natural stone setts, curbstones, and flagstones.

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

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