Oats market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The oat market in Belgium expanded from 114 thousand tons in 2018 to 127 thousand tons in 2020, driven primarily by rising imports. Domestic production remained constrained by a continued reduction in oat cultivation areas, as farmers shifted to wheat and grain corn. However, favorable weather conditions in 2020 supported higher yields for spring cereals including oats.

A sharp increase in market volume to 164 thousand tons in 2021 and further to 191 thousand tons in 2022 was fueled by the upcoming and then full implementation of the EU organic production regulation (EU 2018/848), which boosted demand for organic oats. Exceptional climatic conditions in 2022 led to high-quality harvests with low moisture, enhancing supply. New food labeling laws introduced in September 2022 also affected the commercialization of oat-based products.

In 2023, the market contracted to 166 thousand tons as a 29% drop in cereal prices compared to 2022 reduced profitability and discouraged oat production, which fell sharply to 11 thousand tons. A simultaneous 11% decline in slaughter numbers in Belgium lowered demand for feed oats, while the organic segment continued to grow under sustained regulatory support.

Production oats in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of oats, 2017-2020

World map of production of oats, 2017-2020

Oats production in Belgium grew for two consecutive years before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 20 170 tonnes, representing an 8.7% increase. However, in 2020, production fell to 18 240 tonnes, marking a 9.6% decrease compared to the previous year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of oats production in Belgium was 3 979 thousand US dollars, a 6.7% decrease from the year before. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value declined by 7.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, when production value rose by 0.6%.

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

Exports oats from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with an 11.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Belgium exported 33.4 thousand tonnes of oats, a significant 17.6% decrease from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 40.5 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a surge of 331.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands dominated Belgium's oats export structure in kind, accounting for 90.0% of total flows. Other markets had relatively modest shares during this period.

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

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Export values dropped to their minimum in 2017 and climbed to a maximum in 2019, showing a 10.7-fold shift. In 2020, Belgium's oats export value stood at 7 280 thousand US dollars, which is 14.9% lower than the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 8 554 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 322.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands was the dominant buyer of oats from Belgium in value terms, accounting for 87.9% of total exports. Other countries shared the remaining volume.

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

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

Imports oats to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Belgium's oats imports declined. In 2019, imports reached their highest point at 146.6 thousand tonnes, with a 32.6% increase. However, in 2020, imports fell to 142.7 thousand tonnes, a 2.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 34.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden (24.2% of imports in kind), Finland (24.1% of imports in kind), and France (17.6% of imports in kind) accounted for the largest share of Belgium's oats imports in kind. Together, these three countries comprised 65.9% 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

Following two years of advance, Belgium's oats import volumes declined. In 2019, import value peaked at 34 403 thousand US dollars, with a 33.3% increase. In 2020, imports totaled 32 506 thousand US dollars, indicating a 5.5% decrease from the year before. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 41.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Sweden (25.1% of imports in value terms), Finland (24.2% of imports in value terms), and the United Kingdom (16.2% of imports in value terms) stood out as the main markets for Belgium's oats imports in value terms. Together, they represented 65.5% of total flows.

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

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