Belgium: Date Market Overview 2021

Date Market Size in Belgium

In 2019, the Belgian date market decreased by -X% to $X for the first time since 2015, thus ending a three-year rising trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007 to 2019; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the market value increased by X% against the previous year. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2019, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Date Production in Belgium

In value terms, date production fell significantly to $X in 2019 estimated in export prices. Over the period under review, production, however, posted a prominent increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2008 when the production volume increased by X% against the previous year. Date production peaked at $X in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2019, production failed to regain the momentum.

The average yield of dates in Belgium was estimated at X kg per ha in 2019, leveling off at the previous year. Overall, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2019, the harvested area of dates in Belgium stood at X ha, leveling off at the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area showed a relatively flat trend pattern.

Date Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2019, after twelve years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of dates, when their volume decreased by -X% to X tonnes. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a significant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, exports reached the peak figure at X tonnes in 2018, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, date exports shrank to $X in 2019. In general, exports, however, enjoyed a significant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, exports hit record highs at $X in 2018, and then dropped in the following year.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tonnes) was the main destination for date exports from Belgium, accounting for a X% share of total exports. Moreover, date exports to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Spain (X tonnes), twofold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by France (X tonnes), with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2019, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the Netherlands amounted to +X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Spain (+X% per year) and France (+X% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the key foreign market for date exports from Belgium, comprising X% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Spain ($X), with a X% share of total exports. It was followed by Sweden, with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2019, the average annual growth rate of value to the Netherlands totaled +X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Spain (+X% per year) and Sweden (+X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average date export price stood at $X per tonne in 2019, leveling off at the previous year. Over the period from 2007 to 2019, it increased at an average annual rate of +X%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 when the average export price increased by X% y-o-y. As a result, export price reached the peak level of $X per tonne. From 2011 to 2019, the growth in terms of the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2019, the country with the highest price was Sweden ($X per tonne), while the average price for exports to Finland ($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 Spain, while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Date Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2019, approx. X tonnes of dates were imported into Belgium; with an increase of X% on the previous year. Overall, total imports indicated a tangible expansion from 2007 to 2019: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, imports increased by +X% against 2011 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2009 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2019 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, date imports dropped slightly to $X in 2019. In general, total imports indicated noticeable growth from 2007 to 2019: its value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, imports increased by +X% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when imports increased by X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2018, and then reduced modestly in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2019, Tunisia (X tonnes) constituted the largest date supplier to Belgium, with a X% share of total imports. Moreover, date imports from Tunisia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Algeria (X tonnes), twofold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by the Netherlands (X tonnes), with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2019, the average annual growth rate of volume from Tunisia amounted to +X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Algeria (+X% per year) and the Netherlands (+X% per year).

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

From 2007 to 2019, the average annual growth rate of value from the Netherlands totaled +X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Tunisia (+X% per year) and France (+X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average date import price stood at $X per tonne in 2019, with a decrease of -X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by X% year-to-year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per tonne. From 2015 to 2019, the growth in terms of the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per tonne), while the price for Tunisia ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Pakistan, while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

What are the largest markets for dates in the world?

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The countries with the highest volumes of date consumption in 2019 were Egypt (1.6M tonnes), Saudi Arabia (1.4M tonnes) and Iran (1.2M tonnes), with a combined 42% share of global consumption. Algeria, Iraq, Pakistan, Sudan, Oman, China, India, the United Arab Emirates, Libya and Tunisia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 43%.

What are the largest producers of dates in the world?

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The countries with the highest volumes of date production in 2019 were Egypt (1.6M tonnes), Saudi Arabia (1.5M tonnes) and Iran (1.3M tonnes), with a combined 46% share of global production. Algeria, Iraq, Pakistan, Sudan, Oman, China, the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia and Libya lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 43%.

What are the leading suppliers of dates to Belgium?

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In value terms, the Netherlands ($6.2M) constituted the largest supplier of date to Belgium, comprising 35% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Tunisia ($3M), with a 17% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with a 11% share.

What are the leading importers of dates from Belgium?

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In value terms, the Netherlands ($4.2M) remains the key foreign market for date exports from Belgium, comprising 48% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Spain ($1M), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by Sweden, with a 12% share.

What is the average export price for dates in Belgium?

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The average date export price stood at $3,746 per tonne in 2019, remaining constant against the previous year.

What is the average import price for dates in Belgium?

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The average date import price stood at $2,471 per tonne in 2019, which is down by -6% against the previous year.