Belgium: Date Market 2022

Date Market Size in Belgium

In 2021, the Belgian date market decreased by -7.1% to $X for the first time since 2015, thus ending a five-year rising trend. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a strong increase. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

Date Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2021, overseas shipments of dates increased by 11% to X tons, rising for the seventh consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, exports recorded a remarkable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 59%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, date exports surged to $X in 2021. In general, exports enjoyed a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 54%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

France (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Germany (X tons) were the main destinations of date exports from Belgium, with a combined 76% share of total exports. Spain, the UK, Italy, Luxembourg and Sweden lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 19%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Italy (with a CAGR of +19.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for date exported from Belgium were France ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Germany ($X), with a combined 72% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Spain, the UK, Italy, Luxembourg and Sweden, which together accounted for a further 21%.

Among the main countries of destination, Italy, with a CAGR of +28.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

In 2021, the average date export price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 7.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 13%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Sweden ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Germany ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Italy (+7.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Date Imports

Imports into Belgium

After three years of growth, overseas purchases of dates decreased by -6.5% to X tons in 2021. Overall, imports, however, saw a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 40%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, date imports rose modestly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, enjoyed resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 44%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

Tunisia (X tons), Algeria (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main suppliers of date imports to Belgium, with a combined 66% share of total imports. Germany, France, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 25%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +45.3%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) constituted the largest supplier of date to Belgium, comprising 36% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Tunisia ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from the Netherlands stood at +20.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Tunisia (-0.7% per year) and France (+11.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average date import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 12% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average import price increased by 18% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Tunisia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+6.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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