Not in shell eggs and egg yolks market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, a recall of fipronil-contaminated eggs from the Netherlands prompted heightened surveillance by the Belgian food safety agency, which likely contributed to a subsequent decline in import values. The following years through 2021 saw import and export values fluctuate without major reported supply-side disruptions, leading to a relatively stable trade environment ahead of significant market shifts.

The market dynamics changed sharply from 2022, when a resurgence of avian influenza led to the loss of hundreds of thousands of laying hens, severely tightening supply. This constraint on production, combined with a historic surge in feed and energy costs in 2023, drove egg prices to record levels and propelled the total market value to $199.5 million that year, even as underlying volumes were pressured.

By 2024, household egg consumption in Belgium had risen by 5%, providing underlying demand support. However, the total market value receded to $175.1 million. This period also saw the launch of a new market segment with 'climate-neutral' eggs imported from the Netherlands and changes to market access through tariff exemptions for Ukrainian eggs. Concurrent regulatory updates, including new labeling rules for liquid egg products and a ban on chick sexing in Flanders, began influencing production standards and market structure.

Production not in shell eggs and egg yolks in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of not in shell eggs and egg yolks, 2017-2020

World map of production of not in shell eggs and egg yolks, 2017-2020

Belgium's production of not-in-shell eggs and egg yolks grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2 000 tonnes, marking a significant 33.0% year-on-year increase. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 1 000 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 10.1%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 39.8%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 11.8%.

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

Exports not in shell eggs and egg yolks from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

Belgium's exports of not-in-shell eggs and egg yolks totaled 18 493 tonnes in 2020, down 26.1% from 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 25 036 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 3.8%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 24.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -8.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom were the top three markets for Belgium's not-in-shell eggs and egg yolks exports, collectively absorbing 69.0% of the total 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, K $ US

Belgium's exports of not-in-shell eggs and egg yolks in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 43 692 thousand US dollars, an 18.7% drop compared to 2019. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 58 818 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 9.4%. Over the 2017-2020 span, exports decreased by 18.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands emerged as the leading markets for Belgium's not-in-shell eggs and egg yolks exports in value terms. France accounted for 32.7% of exports, the United Kingdom for 17.8%, and the Netherlands for 15.8%, together making up 66.3% 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 not in shell eggs and egg yolks to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

Belgium's imports of not-in-shell eggs and egg yolks increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached approximately 34 146 tonnes, a strong 15.6% year-on-year rise. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 26 315 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 1.6%. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 27.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, the Netherlands and France dominated Belgium's imports of not-in-shell eggs and egg yolks in volume, together representing 93.1% of total imports, while other markets contributed minimally.

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

Belgium's imports of not-in-shell eggs and egg yolks in value terms rose to 63 584 thousand US dollars in 2020, a 13.3% increase from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 64 196 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 25.9%. In 2019, imports experienced the largest decline of 12.6%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 24.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 7.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and France remained the primary sources for Belgium's imports of not-in-shell eggs and egg yolks in value terms, jointly accounting for 93.7% of total imports, with other partners playing a minor role.

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

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