Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals contracted from 1.74 million tonnes in 2018 to 1.59 million tonnes in 2020. This decline aligned with the introduction of a €5 per tonne penalty on non-certified Vegaplan grains from January 2018, which disincentivized such production and contributed to lower output. The milling sector simultaneously faced a sustained decrease, with wheat flour production falling 13% over five years to 906,704 tonnes in 2020, reflecting a broader contraction that reduced overall market volume.

Market volume recovered to 1.65 million tonnes in 2022, a shift driven by the direct impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The disruption to global grain supplies and an estimated 30% rise in European cereal exports altered trade flows, supporting domestic availability despite price pressures. By 2023, cereal prices fell back to pre-war levels amid favorable European weather and strong global harvests, leading to a slight market adjustment to 1.64 million tonnes. Concurrently, the market saw diversification through the development of niche segments like spelt in the Ardennes and the cultivation of rustic, ancient wheat varieties, though these remained modest in scale.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Belgium's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 800 K t, showing a slight decrease of 2.7% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 11.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.1%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Belgium's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals increased in 2020. Exports reached 356.4 K t, marking a substantial rise of 10.1% compared to 2019. However, over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 30.6%, averaging an annual drop of 11.5%. The lowest point was in 2019, with exports at 323.7 K t, which saw the largest decline of 21.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the dominant market for Belgium's exports in kind, accounting for 72.5% of total flows, while other countries made up the remaining share.

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

Following a two-year drop, Belgium's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in value terms increased in 2020. The country exported 133.3 M $ US, representing a notable gain of 10.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 23.2%, with an average annual decline of 8.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 120.6 M $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 19.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, two markets—the Netherlands and France—played leading roles in Belgium's exports in value terms, together accounting for 80.6% of total flows, with the rest distributed among other destinations.

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

World map of product's exports from Belgium in value, 2017-2020

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, Belgium's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in kind increased in 2020. The country imported 144.6 K t, reflecting a strong rise of 12.3% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 6.3%, averaging an annual decline of 2.1%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 128.8 K t, which saw the largest decline of 15.3%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, Luxembourg (23.6% of imports in kind), France (22.7%), and Germany (21.2%) consistently held leading positions in Belgium's import structure in kind, jointly accounting for 67.5% of total 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 wheat and meslin flour and cereals in value terms stood at 65.0 M $ US, representing a significant increase of 18.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 10.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 55.0 M $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 14.7%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Luxembourg (21.8% of imports in value terms), Germany (20.9%), and France (19.1%) remained the key destinations for Belgium's imports in value terms, together accounting for 61.8% 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