Sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for sunflower, safflower, and cottonseed oils in Belgium grew from 310.3 thousand tons in 2018 to 445.8 thousand tons in 2020. A sharp contraction to 315.8 thousand tons followed in 2021, primarily due to COVID-19 pandemic disruptions that strained supply chains and labor in oil processing plants, hampering production and distribution.

Market volume then stabilized around 317–324 thousand tons in 2022–2023. The Russian-Ukrainian conflict triggered a severe shortage, as Ukraine and Russia supplied 75% of Belgium's import needs, leading to retail rationing, product reformulations using alternative oils under temporary derogations, and significant price increases. New excise regulations via Circular 2023/C/59 also brought vegetable oils under energy product taxation, adding to market pressure.

In 2024, several local supply-chain initiatives emerged, including a Walloon project to develop a complete sunflower oil sector with local pressing at the Alvenat mill and the formation of an organic sunflower producers' cooperative. A 100% organic mayonnaise made from Belgian sunflower oil was commercially launched, though pesticide restrictions in Wallonia continued to limit local seed production.

Production sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions, 2017-2020

Belgium's production of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 36 896 tonnes, marking a 3.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 3.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 40 917 tonnes, with the largest increase that year of 7.1%. Conversely, the most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 6.7% decrease.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Belgium's production value of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions also declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 42 186 thousand US dollars, showing a slight decrease of 2.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 7.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.6%. The peak value was in 2018 at 49 319 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 7.9%. The most substantial decline was in 2019, with a 12.5% drop.

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

Exports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belgium's exports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions reached 161.5 thousand tonnes, representing a significant year-over-year increase of 24.1%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 30.4%, with a CAGR of 9.2%. The largest decline during this period was in 2019, with a 5.8% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Germany were the primary markets for Belgium's exports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 33.5% of exports, France for 23.5%, and Germany for 14.7%, collectively making up 71.8% 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

In 2020, Belgium exported 184.6 million US dollars worth of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions, indicating a sharp increase of 25.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 24.6%, with an annualized growth rate of 7.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 147.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 11.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, the Netherlands, France, and Germany remained the key destinations for Belgium's exports in value terms. The Netherlands held 31.3% of export value, France 22.9%, and Germany 15.3%, together accounting for 69.4% 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 sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Belgium's imports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 570.4 thousand tonnes, reflecting a 32.9% advance compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 62.1%, with a CAGR of 17.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands and France dominated Belgium's imports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 83.5% of total imports. Other countries contributed to a more diversified but smaller share of the 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

In 2020, Belgium's imports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions reached 531.6 million US dollars, which is 41.8% higher than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 53.1%, with a CAGR of 15.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 2.1% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and France formed a dominant pair for Belgium's imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 83.3% of total flows. Other countries represented the remaining share, contributing to a varied but less significant portion of imports.

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

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