Women's woven blouses and shirts market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The market for women's woven blouses and shirts in Belgium opened the period with a volume of 10.1 million pieces in 2018, against a backdrop of a textile sector heavily reliant on imports, which accounted for 75% of the sector's turnover. The launch of new local brands like TOMBOY® in 2019 introduced new segments into women's ready-to-wear, although the overall market volume for these shirts dipped to 9.4 million pieces that year before recovering slightly to 10.1 million in 2020.

By 2023, the market had contracted sharply to 6.2 million pieces, valued at $73.1 million. This decline coincided with a wave of bankruptcies weakening the entrepreneurial fabric of the textile and clothing sector and sustained pressure on the fashion industry from shifting consumer priorities.

Entering 2024, the sector faced new European product safety rules and regulations against greenwashing in textiles, alongside a reported 6.2% drop in production and falling capacity utilization. These developments continued to shape an industry adapting to challenges in employment and market dynamics.

Production women's woven blouses and shirts in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Production of women's woven blouses and shirts in Belgium declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 089 K $ US, marking a sharp 35.4% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 50.6%, with an annualized decline of 21.0%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 2 479 K $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 12.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, unit

Production of women's woven blouses and shirts in Belgium declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Belgium produced 33 869 units, down 32.1% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 42.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 16.7%. The highest output was recorded in 2018 at 67 093 units, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 14.4%.

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

Exports women's woven blouses and shirts from Belgium

Exports in kind, K unit

Exports of women's woven blouses and shirts from Belgium declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Belgium exported 3 299 K units, representing a 25.1% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 51.6%, with an annualized decline of 21.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, the United Kingdom, and France formed the main cluster of markets for Belgium's exports in kind. Spain accounted for 22.2% of exports, the United Kingdom for 16.7%, and France for 14.6%, together representing 53.5% 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

Exports of women's woven blouses and shirts from Belgium declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 39.9 M $ US, down 27.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 44.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 17.8%.

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

The partner structure for exports in value terms remained fragmented from 2017 to 2020. France accounted for 16.5% of exports, the United Kingdom for 15.5%, and Spain for 15.4%, together representing only 47.4% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant 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 women's woven blouses and shirts to Belgium

Imports in kind, K unit

Belgium's imports of women's woven blouses and shirts declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Belgium imported approximately 13 368 K units, a 3.0% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 7.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.5%. The peak volume occurred in 2018 at 15 340 K units, which saw the largest annual increase of 6.3%. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2019 at 10.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of women's woven blouses and shirts to Belgium were not concentrated on a few key destinations. Germany accounted for 21.3% of imports, France for 11.4%, and Spain for 10.6%, together representing only 43.3% of total 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

Imports of women's woven blouses and shirts to Belgium declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 127.0 M $ US, down 9.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 15.8%, with an annualized decline of 5.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 162.7 M $ US, which saw the largest annual increase of 7.9%. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 14.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for Belgium's imports in value terms. Germany accounted for 17.4% of imports, France for 13.7%, and Spain for 10.9%, together representing only 42.0% of total import flows, with many smaller partners each holding modest individual shares.

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

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