Potato market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh or chilled potatoes in Belgium showed significant growth from 4.6 million tons in 2018 to 6.9 million tons in 2023. This expansion was not linear, with a sharp increase of over 1.3 million tons in 2019, followed by moderate contractions in 2020 and 2022, before a strong recovery in 2023.

The notable market growth in 2023 was primarily driven by a 15.3% increase in domestic production, resulting from both expanded cultivation area and higher yields. This surge in output, combined with sustained imports of fresh potatoes to supply the country's large processing industry for fries and chips, pushed the total market volume to a new peak. The shift toward more contract farming, which began earlier in the period, provided growers with more security against price volatility and supported stable supply.

In 2024, the underlying drivers pointed to continued large supply, with the potato cultivation area rising to 100,000 hectares and estimated gross production reaching approximately 4.55 million tons. However, the market also faced new pressures, including strong blight pressure affecting organic production and a continued decline in at-home consumption of fresh potatoes, particularly among younger consumers who showed a growing preference for pasta.

Production potato in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Belgium ranked 20th globally in potato production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

In 2020, Belgium produced 3 929 K t of potatoes, which was 2.5% lower than in 2019. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 3 045 K t, with the largest decline that year at 31.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 32.3%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 11%, averaging an annualized decline of 3.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of potato output in Belgium was 795.8 M $ US, showing a significant decrease of 12.8% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 589.7 M $ US, with the largest decline that year at 37.6%. The largest increase was in 2019 at 54.9%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 15.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.6%.

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

Exports potato from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belgium exported 1 002 K t of potatoes, marking a 2.9% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline was in 2019 at 0.5%. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 4.8%, with an annualized rate of 1.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the leading buyer of potatoes from Belgium, accounting for 70.4% of total exports in volume, while the remaining exports were distributed among many other 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

In 2020, Belgium's potato exports totaled 203.0 M $ US, reflecting an 8.1% year-on-year drop. The minimum value was in 2018 at 189.5 M $ US, and the maximum was in 2019 at 220.9 M $ US, with the largest increase that year at 16.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Germany were the top buyers of potatoes from Belgium in value terms, with shares of 47.5%, 32.1%, and 7.6%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 87.2% 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 potato to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

After increasing for two years, Belgium's potato imports declined in 2020, reaching 2 820 K t, a moderate decrease of 3.3% compared to 2019. The maximum volume was in 2019 at 2 916 K t, with the largest increase in 2018 at 19.8%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 32.2%, averaging an annualized growth of 9.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany were consistently the main sources of potato imports to Belgium in volume, with shares of 54.8%, 21.7%, and 19.9%, respectively. Combined, they represented 96.4% 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

Following a two-year rise, Belgium's potato import value declined in 2020, registering 568.1 M $ US, a solid decrease of 18.6% compared to 2019. The highest value was in 2019 at 697.6 M $ US, with the largest increase that year at 30.7%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 14.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany contributed the most to Belgium's potato imports in value terms, with shares of 44.8%, 29.5%, and 17.7%, respectively. Together, they made up 91.9% of total import flows.

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

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