Nitrogen market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the nitrogen market volume in Belgium declined from 1 674 to 1 549 million cubic meters. This trend aligned with the implementation of the Sustainable Nitrogen Management Program in Wallonia, which introduced stricter controls on agricultural fertilizer use. Concurrently, regulatory actions against the misuse of nitrous oxide, including court-confirmed bans and police seizures of canisters, likely reduced consumption of this specific nitrogen product.

The market rebounded to 1 651 million cubic meters in 2021 and surged to 1 980 million cubic meters in 2022. This sharp rise coincided with the energy crisis, which drastically increased nitrogen fertilizer prices due to higher natural gas costs, prompting potential advance purchasing. The subsequent volume drop to 1 837 million cubic meters in 2023 occurred alongside intense political debate and the approval of the Flemish nitrogen decree, which set emission caps for protected areas. In 2024, a decline in natural gas prices reduced fertilizer production costs, contributing to a market volume recovery to 2 076 million cubic meters while the market value fell to 159.0 million US dollars.

Production nitrogen in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Belgium's nitrogen production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 135.7 million US dollars, remaining virtually unchanged compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 9.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 136.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 9.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M m³

Belgium's nitrogen production volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 2,374 million cubic meters of nitrogen were produced, marking a 1.7% rise year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 2.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.9%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 2,291 million cubic meters, which saw the largest decline of 0.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 1.9% growth.

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, M m³

Exports nitrogen from Belgium

Exports in kind, M m³

Belgium's volume of nitrogen exports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 878.9 million cubic meters, up by 4.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 1,709.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 162.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, M m³

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands dominated the partner structure for exports in kind, accounting for 84.9% of total flows, while other markets held comparatively modest shares.

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

Nitrogen volumes leaving Belgium declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Belgium exported 36,004 thousand US dollars worth of nitrogen, which is 5.3% less than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 5.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 38,337 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 12.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the principal market for nitrogen from Belgium, accounting for 78.0% of total exports in value terms, with other destinations forming a less significant portion.

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

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

Imports nitrogen to Belgium

Imports in kind, M m³

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with an 11.1-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2020. In 2020, foreign nitrogen supplies to Belgium were recorded at 53.4 million cubic meters, down by 54.4% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 83.5%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 19.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, M m³

Throughout 2017 to 2020, imports in kind remained heavily focused on the Netherlands, which accounted for 92.7% of total flows.

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's nitrogen imports reached 7,367 thousand US dollars, which is 40.8% less than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 25.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 12,454 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 43.2%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands remained the dominant partner for imports in value terms of nitrogen to Belgium, with a share of 73.9% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

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

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