Soups and broths market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, Belgium's market for soups and broths saw significant shifts in both volume and value. Physical market volume peaked in 2022 at 44 696 t before contracting to 30 228 t by 2024, while domestic production more than doubled over the period to 20 559 t. This production growth was partly stimulated in 2022 by the entry of new craft producers, such as a workshop in Saint-Gilles launching a range of healthy, traditional broths starting with a turmeric chicken product, responding to a consumer trend towards homemade and wholesome foods.

The market's value exhibited a strong and steady rise from $74.8 million in 2018 to $112.5 million in 2024, even as volume declined in later years, indicating a shift towards higher-value products. This trend was supported by the 2022 launch of concepts like 'Bouillon belge', which aimed to offer affordable stews and broths using centralized production to control costs, and the expansion of local bio soup manufacturing in Waterloo emphasizing seasonal, additive-free ingredients. These developments catered to growing preferences for natural, sustainable, and convenient options, elevating the average market price.

The established presence of major national producers like Continental Foods, with decades of experience in soups and broths, provided a stable industrial base. Concurrently, the market evolution was shaped by sustained demand drivers: a preference for authentic, revisited traditional recipes and the growth of fast, cost-conscious food service concepts centered on broth, which together influenced both retail and foodservice segments throughout the period.

Production soups and broths in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Belgium's soups and broths production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 54 915 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 22.0% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 53.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.3%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Belgium's soups and broths production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 19 303 tonnes, up 22.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 61.4%, averaging 17.3% per year. The lowest output was in 2018 at 11 535 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 3.5%. The biggest increase occurred in 2019, with a 36.3% rise.

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

Exports soups and broths from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

Belgium's soups and broths exports have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 17 010 tonnes, a modest 4.0% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 22.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.9%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 13 612 tonnes, which experienced the largest decline of 2.3%. The highest growth was in 2019, with a 20.2% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands were the key partners for Belgium's soups and broths exports by volume. Sweden accounted for 27.1% of exports, Germany for 24.3%, and the Netherlands for 15.3%. Together, these three countries represented 66.6% 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, K $ US

Belgium's soups and broths exports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 48 653 thousand US dollars, reflecting an 11.5% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 21.4%, with an average annual rate of 6.7%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands were the main destinations for Belgium's soups and broths exports by value. Sweden made up 26.6% of exports, Germany 21.1%, and the Netherlands 14.0%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 61.7% 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 soups and broths to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

Belgium's soups and broths imports have increased after a two-year decline. In 2020, import volume was 34 291 tonnes, up 6.4% from 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 9%, averaging a 3.1% annual decline. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 32 240 tonnes, which saw the largest drop of 12.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, France, the Netherlands, and Poland were the primary partners for Belgium's soups and broths imports by volume. France contributed 44.3% of imports, the Netherlands 15.0%, and Poland 9.2%. Together, these three countries represented 68.4% 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 72 178 thousand US dollars worth of soups and broths in 2020, showing a gradual 8.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 3.6%, with an average annual decline of 1.2%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 66 667 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest drop of 14.9%. The highest value was in 2018 at 78 358 thousand US dollars.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany consistently led Belgium's soups and broths imports by value. France accounted for 33.7% of imports, the Netherlands for 21.2%, and Germany for 13.5%. Combined, these three countries made up 68.4% of total import value.

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

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