Tomato market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, Belgian tomato production, predominantly from greenhouses, increased from 258.7 thousand tons to 289.7 thousand tons, though with notable fluctuations. The market volume grew from 101.2 thousand tons to 160.5 thousand tons, peaking sharply in 2022. High energy costs for heating greenhouses consistently affected the competitiveness of local production, particularly from 2019 onward.

The major energy crisis in 2022 led many growers to stop heating their greenhouses in winter, nearly eliminating Belgian tomatoes during the colder months. This constraint on domestic supply coincided with increased imports, driving the market volume to 163.2 thousand tons that year. Earlier, in 2021, rising production costs, especially for energy, had already contributed to a 9.2% drop in output.

Throughout the period, producers adopted more sustainable practices such as biological pest control and rainwater harvesting to reduce chemical inputs and meet consumer demand for local and environmentally friendly produce. Steady year-round demand for tomatoes continued to support greenhouse cultivation despite energy and environmental pressures.

Production tomato in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Belgium's tomato production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 311.5 thousand tonnes of tomatoes, which represents a 15.3% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 21.7%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 6.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of decline, Belgium's tomato production value rebounded. In 2020, the output was valued at 379.2 million US dollars, showing a significant increase of 15.6% over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 6.7%, with an average annual rate of 2.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 328.1 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 6.5%.

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

Exports tomato from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

Belgium's tomato export volume has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 257.0 thousand tonnes, up by 5.2% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 18.2%, which corresponds to an average annual increase of 5.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and France were the main buyers of Belgian tomatoes by volume. Germany accounted for 28.1% of exports, the Netherlands for 25.1%, and France for 24.0%. Together, these three countries represented 77.2% of Belgium's total tomato exports in kind.

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

Tomato exports from Belgium have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, the export value totaled 312.9 million US dollars, marking a modest increase of 5.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 3.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 285.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 5.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and France were the primary destinations for Belgian tomato exports by value. Germany held a 33.9% share, the Netherlands 22.2%, and France 21.9%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 78.1% of the 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 tomato to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belgium's tomato imports amounted to 56.4 thousand tonnes, reflecting a sharp decrease of 14.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 35.4%, with an average annual decline of 13.5%. The largest drop occurred in 2018 at 25.7%, while the only increase was in 2019, rising by 1.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Spain were the leading sources of tomato imports to Belgium by volume. The Netherlands supplied 52.8% of imports, France 24.7%, and Spain 16.9%. Together, these three countries made up 94.5% of Belgium's total tomato imports in kind.

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 tomato imports have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at approximately 90.4 million US dollars, down by 1.9% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 36.9%, equating to an average annual reduction of 14.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the Netherlands, France, and Spain remained the key sources for Belgium's tomato imports by value. The Netherlands accounted for 53.4% of imports, France for 21.8%, and Spain for 18.2%. Combined, these three countries represented 93.4% of the 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