Not roasted malt market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The not roasted malt market in Belgium saw its volume change from 683 thousand tonnes in 2019 to 960 thousand tonnes in 2024, influenced primarily by developments in local agriculture and malt production. The 'Fair Producer Price' policy, initiated in 2018 and expanded in subsequent years, encouraged farmers to increase brewing barley cultivation, which reached 3.6% of total barley area by 2023. This supported a rise in domestic malt output from 1.1 million tonnes in 2019 to 1.5 million tonnes in 2024.

A temporary downturn in 2020, when market volume fell to 494 thousand tonnes, was linked to low malt prices that discouraged barley planting, as reported by maltster Dingemans. Recovery began in 2021 with the wider use of Fair Producer Price contracts, boosting barley surface and helping production rebound. The period also saw the entry of new players through micro-maltsters launched in 2023, such as those in Hoyoux and at Hof ten Dormaal, providing small-batch malt for micro-breweries. Additionally, the acquisition of Château malt house by French cooperative In Vivo in 2021 marked consolidation among major producers.

Quality and traceability measures, including HACCP and ISO standards along with labels like 'Terrabrew' and 'Pure Local', were reinforced from 2020 onward, improving market access for Belgian maltsters. These factors contributed to market fluctuations, with volume peaking at 972 thousand tonnes in 2023 before stabilizing near 960 thousand tonnes in 2024.

Production not roasted malt in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Belgium's output of not roasted malt was valued at 363.6 million US dollars, marking a 19.7% decline compared to 2019.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Belgium produced 914 thousand tonnes of not roasted malt, which is 16.7% lower than the previous year.

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

Exports not roasted malt from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belgium exported 722.0 thousand tonnes of not roasted malt, showing a gradual year-over-year decrease of 6.8%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 2.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 774.8 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase of 6.0% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of Belgium's not roasted malt exports in kind was highly diversified. The Netherlands accounted for 15.8% of exports, Nigeria for 9.3%, and Brazil for 7.2%, together making up only 32.3% of total flows. The remaining 67.7% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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 a two-year rise, Belgium's not roasted malt exports declined in value. In 2020, exports totalled 307.1 million US dollars, down 13.5% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 5.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 354.9 million US dollars, while the largest increase of 12.8% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium's not roasted malt exports in value terms were widely dispersed across partner countries. The Netherlands represented 14.0% of exports, Nigeria 9.0%, and Brazil 7.6%, together accounting for only 30.6% of total 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 not roasted malt to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belgium imported 301.7 thousand tonnes of not roasted malt, indicating a 16.2% reduction compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 20.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.5%. The largest increase of 0.8% was recorded in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France accounted for 79.4% of Belgium's total imports in kind of not roasted malt, with the remaining flows scattered across multiple smaller partners.

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 not roasted malt imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 116.2 million US dollars, showing a significant decrease of 14.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 12.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 137.6 million US dollars, and the largest increase of 4.1% also occurred that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France concentrated 77.4% of Belgium's total imports in value terms of not roasted malt, with the residual flows scattered across multiple smaller partners.

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

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