Prepared or preserved beef and offal market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the Belgian market for prepared or preserved beef and offal showed significant volume fluctuations. After growing to 6 793 t in 2019, consumption fell sharply to 5 793 t in 2020 and further to 3 548 t in 2021. A partial recovery brought the market to 4 434 t in 2022, before it declined again to 4 185 t in 2023.

The market decrease in 2023 was influenced by a 6% drop in cattle slaughter for animals aged 12 to 24 months, which reduced domestic meat production and availability. In the 2020-2021 period, Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reforms and one-time disaster aid for droughts provided support to beef producers, yet overall market volume contracted substantially during those years.

Production prepared or preserved beef and offal in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Globally, Belgium ranked as the 18th largest producer of prepared or preserved beef and offal from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of prepared or preserved beef and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of prepared or preserved beef and offal, 2017-2020

Belgium's production of prepared or preserved beef and offal grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 8 084 tonnes, a 3.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 2.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest production volume was in 2018 at 7 479 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 5.1%. The biggest increase occurred in 2019, with a 4.8% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of prepared or preserved beef and offal production in Belgium increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 55 112 thousand US dollars, up 9.7% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 10.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 49 656 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 0.7%.

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

Exports prepared or preserved beef and offal from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

Belgium's exports of prepared or preserved beef and offal by volume fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 12 668 tonnes, a 9.2% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 7.8%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 2.7%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 14 623 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 6.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Germany were the primary markets for Belgium's exports of prepared or preserved beef and offal by volume. The Netherlands accounted for 54.2% of exports, France for 24.0%, and Germany for 8.5%, together making up 86.7% 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, K $ US

The value of Belgium's prepared or preserved beef and offal exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 86 358 thousand US dollars, a moderate 3.4% drop from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 97 089 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 11.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 7.9% decrease.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the Netherlands and France were the key partner countries for Belgium's exports of prepared or preserved beef and offal in value terms, together accounting for 80.1% of total export flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports prepared or preserved beef and offal to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

Belgium's imports of prepared or preserved beef and offal by volume decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 10 377 tonnes, a sharp 19.6% decline year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 8.5%, equivalent to an annualized decrease of 2.9%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 13 398 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 18.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Belgium's imports of prepared or preserved beef and offal by volume were Brazil, the Netherlands, and Germany. Brazil accounted for 35.9% of imports, the Netherlands for 22.7%, and Germany for 15.9%, together representing 74.4% 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, K $ US

Belgium imported 56 690 thousand US dollars worth of prepared or preserved beef and offal in 2020, a gradual increase of 4.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.8%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 1.3%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 54 231 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 22.7%. The highest value was in 2018 at 70 141 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest increase of 19.0%.

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

In 2017-2020, Brazil, the Netherlands, and Germany were the primary sources for Belgium's imports of prepared or preserved beef and offal in value terms. Brazil accounted for 37.6% of imports, the Netherlands for 23.4%, and Germany for 15.7%, together making up 76.6% 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