Pastry market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian pastry market volume rose from 153.8 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 207.4 thousand tonnes in 2020. Regulatory changes in 2018, including updated hygiene rules for bakeries-pastry shops and mandatory registration with the AFSCA, streamlined market entry and operational requirements, supporting production growth. Although the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused a sharp decline in sales at traditional bakeries, the overall market size continued to expand.

After a dip to 195.1 thousand tonnes in 2021, the market recovered to 203.9 thousand tonnes in 2022, driven by the expansion of major players such as La Lorraine, which planned to open 10-20 new retail outlets in Belgium, increasing product accessibility. However, in 2023, the market contracted to 179.8 thousand tonnes as record-high butter prices raised production costs, putting upward pressure on retail prices and dampening consumer demand.

Entering 2024, the sector faced persistent cost pressures from high butter prices, while consumer trends shifted towards online purchasing and plant-based alternatives. Regulatory adjustments, such as reduced annual microbiological sampling for certain pastries, also modified compliance requirements for producers.

Production pastry in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Belgium ranked as the 16th largest producer of pastry during the period from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of pastry, 2017-2020

World map of production of pastry, 2017-2020

Pastry production in Belgium increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 310 K t of pastry, marking an 8.8% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 34.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.5%.

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

Exports pastry from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, pastry exports from Belgium declined. In 2020, exports totaled 374.1 K t, representing a 7.1% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 6.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.2%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 402.6 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 13.4% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (22.2% of exports in kind), France (19.7% of exports in kind), and Germany (15.5% of exports in kind) emerged as the primary markets for Belgium's pastry exports in kind. Together, these three countries accounted for 57.4% of total export flows.

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

Belgium's pastry export value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 1 109 M $ US, reflecting a 2.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 13.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1 198 M $ US, with the largest increase that year at 22.4%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 4.7% drop.

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

During 2017-2020, the leading destinations for Belgium's pastry exports in value terms were the Netherlands (20.9% of exports in value terms), France (20.4% of exports in value terms), and Germany (13.7% of exports in value terms). Collectively, these three countries represented 55.0% of total export 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 pastry to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Imported pastry volumes in Belgium declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 271.5 K t, showing a 9.6% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 11.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 309.1 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 0.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France (29.3% of imports in kind), the Netherlands (26.1% of imports in kind), and Germany (18.2% of imports in kind) were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of pastry imports to Belgium. Together, these three countries accounted for 73.6% of total import 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, M $ US

After two years of growth, pastry imports to Belgium from abroad declined. In 2020, Belgium imported pastry valued at 1 109 M $ US, reflecting a 5.5% reduction compared to the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 743 M $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 5.9% rise.

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

During 2017-2020, France (31.6% of imports in value terms), the Netherlands (25.5% of imports in value terms), and Germany (17.5% of imports in value terms) remained the principal suppliers of pastry to Belgium. Jointly, these three countries accounted for 74.6% of total imports in value terms.

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

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