Sunflower-seed oilcake market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian sunflower-seed oilcake market volume showed considerable variation from 2018 to 2023. It began at 202 thousand tons in 2018, fell sharply to 139 thousand tons the following year, and then recovered to 177 thousand tons in 2020. After a slight contraction to 159 thousand tons in 2021, the market expanded again, reaching 174 thousand tons in 2022 and 202 thousand tons in 2023.

Global market dynamics played a role in these movements. Growing consumer health awareness increased worldwide demand for sunflower oil, a primary driver for oilcake production as a by-product. Later, drought conditions, rising input costs, and sowing delays in major sunflower-growing regions like Ukraine and the European Union constrained seed supplies and elevated prices, influencing crushing margins and trade flows for oilcake.

Domestic production mirrored this volatility, declining from 43 thousand tons in 2018 to 38 thousand tons in 2020 before surging to 61 thousand tons in 2021. Output then moderated to 56 thousand tons in 2022 and 47 thousand tons in 2023, reflecting adjustments in the oil extraction industry.

Production sunflower-seed oilcake in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sunflower-seed oilcake, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower-seed oilcake, 2017-2020

Sunflower-seed oilcake production in Belgium has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, Belgium produced 38.3 K t of sunflower-seed oilcake, which represents a 4.2% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 9.7%, translating to an average annual decline of 3.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 42.8 K t. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 6.5% decrease, while the largest increase was seen in 2018 at 0.8%.

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

Exports sunflower-seed oilcake from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

Sunflower-seed oilcake exports from Belgium have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volumes reached 104.0 K t, reflecting a 4.9% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 6.9%, which corresponds to an average annual growth rate of 2.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France accounted for 79.1% of Belgium's total sunflower-seed oilcake exports in volume terms, with the remaining exports distributed among various smaller trading partners.

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

In 2020, sunflower-seed oilcake exports from Belgium amounted to 25 723 K $ US, showing a 5.4% increase relative to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 27.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.3%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 2.2%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018 at 23.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, France was the leading destination for Belgium's sunflower-seed oilcake exports in value terms, making up 79.4% of total flows. The rest was spread across several smaller markets.

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-seed oilcake to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, sunflower-seed oilcake imports into Belgium have rebounded. In 2020, Belgium imported 242.9 K t of sunflower-seed oilcake, indicating a 22.8% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 17.9%, with a compound annual decline rate of 6.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 197.9 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 23.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (57.6% of import volume), Ukraine (17.5%), and Russia (10.6%) were the primary sources for Belgium's sunflower-seed oilcake imports in volume terms, collectively accounting for 85.7% of total imports.

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

After two years of decline, sunflower-seed oilcake imports into Belgium have increased. In 2020, imports stood at 60 902 K $ US, marking a sharp 34.6% year-on-year rise. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 6.1%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 45 249 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 18.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the Netherlands (55.6% of import value), Ukraine (17.8%), and Russia (11.8%) formed the core group of markets for Belgium's sunflower-seed oilcake imports in value terms, together representing 85.2% of total flows.

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

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