Wheat and meslin flour market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian wheat and meslin flour market saw domestic production volume gradually decline from 980,000 tons in 2018 to 871,000 tons in 2021, a trend influenced by regulatory and competitive factors. The introduction of a €5 per ton penalty on non-Vegaplan certified grains in 2018 raised costs for uncertified producers, while the market's strong dependence on French wheat imports meant that international competition and French milling output directly shaped local supply conditions. By 2020, the industry reported a 13% decrease in wheat flour delivery over five years, with unfavorable weather further affecting the availability of specific cereals like durum wheat.

From 2021 onward, global supply chain disruptions began to impact the availability and quality of specialty cereals, coinciding with a significant consumer shift toward functional and clean-label flours. This shift was reflected in a 21% surge in European consumption of fiber-rich functional flour between 2022 and 2024. High cereal prices in 2021–2022 prompted Belgian farmers to plan for expanded planted areas, while the market saw the entry of new artisanal mills like Les Grands Blés, established in 2019, which expanded networks of organic farmers to meet growing demand for local, natural flours. Consequently, import volumes rose steadily to fill the gap left by declining domestic output.

The market volume peaked at 758,900 tons in 2023, driven by imports reaching 125,100 tons, but then contracted sharply to 567,000 tons in 2024 as production fell to 792,000 tons and exports surged to 366,500 tons. In value terms, the market reached $464.0 million in 2023 before falling to $307.6 million in 2024, reflecting volatile price movements and significant changes in trade flows over the period.

Production wheat and meslin flour in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Belgium's wheat and meslin flour production value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 359.5 million US dollars, marking a 1.3% contraction from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 8.2%, with an annualized decline of 2.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Belgium's wheat and meslin flour production volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, 907 thousand tonnes were produced, showing a modest decrease of 2.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 12.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 4.4%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of contraction, wheat and meslin flour export volumes from Belgium increased. In 2020, exports stood at 323.4 thousand tonnes, marking a limited improvement of 7.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 28.8%, with an annualized decline of 10.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 301.3 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 20.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium's export structure in volume terms was heavily concentrated on the Netherlands, which accounted for 73.4% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

After two years of decline, wheat and meslin flour export values from Belgium increased. In 2020, exports amounted to 120.5 million US dollars, representing a gradual uptick of 7.0% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 25.3%, with an annualized decline of 9.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 112.6 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 19.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the dominant market for Belgium's exports in value terms, taking 70.0% of total flows, while other countries accounted for the remaining share.

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 to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of contraction, wheat and meslin flour import volumes to Belgium increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 93.2 thousand tonnes, representing a solid increase of 15.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 5.9%, with an annualized decline of 2.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 80.9 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 12.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (31.0% of import volume), Luxembourg (23.1%), and the Netherlands (19.9%) together absorbed 74.0% of Belgium's total wheat and meslin flour imports in volume terms, making them the main sources.

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, wheat and meslin flour import values to Belgium reached 44.0 million US dollars, up by 18.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 11.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 37.1 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 7.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (28.3% of import value), the Netherlands (23.1%), and Luxembourg (19.6%) were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of Belgium's wheat and meslin flour imports in value terms, with a combined share of 71.0% 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