Salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian market for salted pork bellies and cuts was shaped in its earlier years by disease and weather events. African swine fever spread across Europe in 2018, prompting major importers like China and Japan to suspend pork shipments, which affected trade flows. A summer drought the same year tightened supply and contributed to rising prices. By 2019, pork prices in Belgium had reached a near two-year high, providing a favorable environment for local producers.

Market volume expanded significantly to 17.4 thousand tons in 2020, with production reaching 17.8 thousand tons. Available records do not specify unique drivers for this surge. Production continued to grow, peaking at 18.9 thousand tons in 2022, while per capita pork consumption remained at a moderate 5.9 kg, below that of poultry.

The market contracted from 2023 onward. Pig slaughter volumes in Belgium fell by approximately 11% that year, linked to global market turbulence and the ongoing impact of African swine fever in Europe, which reduced output. In 2024, higher production costs—particularly for energy—and increased competitive pressure from Brazilian and U.S. pork imports further strained the local industry, contributing to a decline in domestic market volume to 15.3 thousand tons.

Production salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Belgium's production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 133.6 million US dollars, marking a significant 36.8% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 36.1%, averaging an annual growth rate of 10.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 95.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 2.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Following a two-year decline, Belgium's production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts rebounded. In 2020, output totaled 17,781 tonnes, showing a substantial 21.7% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 20.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.5%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 14,616 tonnes, which also experienced the largest drop of 0.5%.

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

Exports salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

Exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts from Belgium have fallen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 6,265 tonnes, a decrease of 3.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports declined by 8.7%, averaging an annual reduction of 3.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands were the primary markets for Belgium's exports in volume terms. France accounted for 66.8% of exports, Luxembourg for 10.6%, and the Netherlands for 8.3%, together making up 85.7% 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

Belgium's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value reached 41,499 thousand US dollars, up by 18.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 22.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands—collectively represented 86.8% of the total export value for salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts from Belgium.

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

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

Imports salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

Imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts into Belgium have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 5,902 tonnes, a 9.7% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 4.6%, averaging an annual rate of 1.5%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 4,973 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 11.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and France were the main sources for Belgium's imports in volume terms, together accounting for 89.6% of total flows, while other partners played a much smaller role individually.

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's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts totaled 42,421 thousand US dollars in 2020, reflecting a 25.8% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 25%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.7%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 33,716 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 0.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and France dominated Belgium's imports in value terms, jointly making up 84.2% of total flows, with other countries accounting for the remainder.

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

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