Smoked salmon market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

In the late 2010s, the Belgian smoked salmon market relied heavily on imports, primarily sourced from Norway, Scotland, and Alaska, with weekly volumes typically ranging from 20 to 25 tonnes and doubling during holiday periods. By 2020, the expansion of the French 'Fumé en France' label to include smoked trout enhanced product traceability and differentiation for French products widely available in Belgium, reinforcing quality segments within the import-driven market. The market volume stood at 7 572 t that year.

A significant shift occurred in 2021 when a drop in global salmon prices, driven by worldwide overproduction and the subsiding pandemic-related demand surge, led to a market volume increase to 7 934 t while the market value fell to $132.9 million. The following year, cost inflation for raw materials, energy, transport, and packaging pushed retail prices higher, contributing to a contraction in market volume to 6 731 t. Concurrently, a new law in September 2022 mandated packaging labels to be in Belgium's official languages, increasing compliance costs for suppliers. Consumer sentiment remained strong seasonally, with a survey indicating 67% of Belgians planned holiday purchases of smoked salmon.

Market volume declined further to 5 397 t in 2023, despite reports of doubled weekly supply volumes to 40-50 t during the peak holiday period, as noted by a major local producer. Brand differentiation became more pronounced, with comparative tests highlighting varied price points and perceived quality among leading retail labels. By 2024, the market settled at 4 863 t in volume and $99.0 million in value, with domestic production recovering to 2 570 t.

Production smoked salmon in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

Exports smoked salmon from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

Belgium's exports of smoked salmon have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the export volume reached 2 381 tonnes, marking a 3.9% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 31.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 9.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg were the primary destinations for Belgium's smoked salmon exports in volume terms. France accounted for 48.4% of exports, the Netherlands for 27.6%, and Luxembourg for 11.6%. Together, these three countries represented 87.6% 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

After two years of growth, Belgium's smoked salmon exports in value terms declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 48.5 million US dollars, a decrease of 2.4% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 21.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 49.7 million US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 12.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg consistently led as the main destinations for Belgium's smoked salmon exports in value terms. France held a 49.3% share, the Netherlands 26.1%, and Luxembourg 13.1%. Combined, these three countries made up 88.5% 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 smoked salmon to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

Belgium's imports of smoked salmon have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 6 245 tonnes, a 5.6% drop from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 4.1%, averaging an annual decline of 1.4%. The peak volume was in 2018 at 6 819 tonnes, with the largest annual increase also occurring in 2018 at 4.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Lithuania, Germany, and Poland were the key sources for Belgium's smoked salmon imports in volume terms. Lithuania contributed 50.4% of imports, Germany 22.6%, and Poland 9.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for 82.5% 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

Belgium's smoked salmon imports in value terms have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 100.7 million US dollars, reflecting a significant 13.5% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 19.7%, with an average annual decline of 7.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 133.0 million US dollars, and the largest annual increase also occurred in 2018 at 6.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Lithuania, Germany, and France dominated Belgium's smoked salmon imports in value terms. Lithuania represented 48.9% of imports, Germany 22.4%, and France 10.0%. Collectively, these three countries made up 81.2% 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