Belgium: Cheese Market Overview 2021

Cheese Market Size in Belgium

In 2019, the Belgian cheese market increased by X% to $X, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2008 with an increase of X% year-to-year. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2009 to 2019, the growth of the market failed to regain the momentum.

Cheese Production in Belgium

In value terms, cheese production declined slightly to $X in 2019 estimated in export prices. Overall, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2011 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Cheese production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2019, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cheese Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2019, approx. X tonnes of cheese were exported from Belgium; increasing by X% on 2018 figures. Over the period under review, total exports indicated tangible growth from 2007 to 2019: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, exports increased by +X% against 2008 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when exports increased by X% y-o-y. Exports peaked in 2019 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In value terms, cheese exports reached $X in 2019. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +X% from 2007 to 2019; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, exports hit record highs in 2019 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tonnes), France (X tonnes) and Italy (X tonnes) were the main destinations of cheese exports from Belgium, together comprising X% of total exports.

From 2007 to 2019, the biggest increases were in France, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), France ($X) and Italy ($X) constituted the largest markets for cheese exported from Belgium worldwide, together comprising X% of total exports.

In terms of the main countries of destination, France saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average cheese export price stood at $X per tonne in 2019, waning by -X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a mild reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2008 when the average export price increased by X% year-to-year. As a result, export price attained the peak level of $X per tonne. From 2009 to 2019, the growth in terms of the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was Luxembourg ($X per tonne), while the average price for exports to Spain ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the Netherlands, while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Cheese Imports

Imports into Belgium

Cheese imports into Belgium expanded markedly to X tonnes in 2019, with an increase of X% compared with the previous year's figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +X% from 2007 to 2019; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2019 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, cheese imports declined slightly to $X in 2019. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +X% from 2007 to 2019; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2008 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2019, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands (X tonnes), France (X tonnes) and Germany (X tonnes) were the main suppliers of cheese imports to Belgium, with a combined X% share of total imports. Italy, Denmark and Ireland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further X 2007 to 2019, the biggest increases were in Denmark, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), France ($X) and Germany ($X) appeared to be the largest cheese suppliers to Belgium, with a combined X% share of total imports. Italy, Denmark and Ireland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further X the main suppliers, Denmark saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2019, the average cheese import price amounted to $X per tonne, shrinking by -X% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2008 when the average import price increased by X% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per tonne. From 2009 to 2019, the growth in terms of the average import prices failed to regain the momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2019, the country with the highest price was France ($X per tonne), while the price for Germany ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France, while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

What are the largest markets for cheese in the world?

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The U.S. (6.1M tonnes) constituted the country with the largest volume of cheese consumption, accounting for 24% of total volume. Moreover, cheese consumption in the U.S. exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Germany (3M tonnes), twofold. France (1.6M tonnes) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 6.4% share.

What are the largest producers of cheese in the world?

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The countries with the highest volumes of cheese production in 2019 were the U.S. (6.3M tonnes), Germany (3.5M tonnes) and France (1.9M tonnes), together accounting for 46% of global production. These countries were followed by Italy, Poland, the Netherlands, Argentina, Russia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, the UK, Canada and Sudan, which together accounted for a further 27%.

What are the leading suppliers of cheese to Belgium?

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In value terms, the Netherlands ($545M), France ($499M) and Germany ($218M) were the largest cheese suppliers to Belgium, together accounting for 82% of total imports. Italy, Denmark and Ireland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 13%.

What are the leading importers of cheese from Belgium?

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In value terms, the Netherlands ($293M), France ($171M) and Italy ($117M) constituted the largest markets for cheese exported from Belgium worldwide, with a combined 56% share of total exports.

What is the average export price for cheese in Belgium?

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In 2019, the average cheese export price amounted to $4,138 per tonne, with a decrease of -3% against the previous year.

What is the average import price for cheese in Belgium?

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In 2019, the average cheese import price amounted to $4,505 per tonne, waning by -7.8% against the previous year.