Prepared or preserved pork and offal market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian market for prepared or preserved pork showed variability in the early part of the period, partly due to an expansion in pig meat production, which grew by 9% between 2017 and 2019. Preparations in 2020 for the launch of the new BePork quality standard aimed to enhance the competitiveness of Belgian pork in export markets, providing support to the sector.

Subsequent market dynamics were shaped by a chain of events. Rising piglet prices in 2021 led to the premature slaughter of sows, tightening future supply. This, combined with the impact of the African swine fever crisis in Europe, affected production and exports, contributing to a contraction in the market's volume in 2022. Concurrently, high food inflation strengthened consumer shifts towards discount retailers, while the strong preference for locally produced meat persisted.

By 2023, despite a 7.3% reduction in the pig herd and a reported decline in pig meat production in volume terms, the market's value rose significantly to $125 million, largely driven by sustained inflationary pressure on prices. The BePork quality system, covering over 80% of production, continued to underpin export activity. In January 2024, a royal decree was adopted modifying hygiene rules for foodstuffs, affecting meat production conditions.

Production prepared or preserved pork and offal in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium consistently ranked 11th globally in the production of prepared or preserved pork and offal.

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

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

In 2020, Belgium produced 20 738 tonnes of prepared or preserved pork and offal, marking a moderate increase of 4.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 6.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 3.4%, while the highest increase was in 2018, at 6.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Prepared or preserved pork and offal production in Belgium has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 104.8 million US dollars, reflecting a strong increase of 17.7% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 33.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.0%.

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

Exports prepared or preserved pork and offal from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Belgium's exports of prepared or preserved pork and offal amounted to 37 579 tonnes, showing a slight drop of 1.4% compared to 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 37 152 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 38 128 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 1.9%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 2.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and France were the largest buyers of prepared or preserved pork and offal from Belgium, accounting for 37.6%, 14.0%, and 12.6% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they formed 64.2% of total exports in kind.

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 exports of prepared or preserved pork and offal have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 189.9 million US dollars, which is 11.2% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 23.7%, equating to an average annual rate of 7.3%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom played leading roles in the value of exports from Belgium, accounting for 39.1%, 14.9%, and 12.1% of exports in value terms, respectively. Together, they represented 66.1% 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 prepared or preserved pork and offal to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Belgium imported approximately 29 053 tonnes of prepared or preserved pork and offal, showing a strong rise of 17.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 13.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 24 655 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 7.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Germany were the main sources of imports in kind for Belgium, accounting for 54.6%, 17.8%, and 15.7% of imports, respectively. Together, they absorbed 88.1% of total imports in kind.

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

In 2020, Belgium's imports of prepared or preserved pork and offal reached 170.2 million US dollars, corresponding to an uptick of 21.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 18.6%, equating to an average annual rate of 5.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 139.7 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 8.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Germany made the biggest contribution to imports in value terms, accounting for 43.9%, 21.8%, and 15.0% of imports, respectively. Together, they jointly accounted for 80.7% 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