Belgium: Hop Market 2023

Hop Market Size in Belgium

In 2021, after five years of growth, there was decline in the Belgian hop market, when its value decreased by -2.6% to $X. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a buoyant increase. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

Hop Production in Belgium

In value terms, hop production contracted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +10.5% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 36%. Hop production peaked at $X in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

The average yield of hops in Belgium amounted to X tons per ha in 2021, approximately mirroring the previous year. Over the period under review, the yield, however, saw a perceptible curtailment. The hop yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The hop harvested area in Belgium was estimated at X ha in 2021, almost unchanged from 2020 figures. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the harvested area increased by 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to hop production attained the maximum in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Hop Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2021, after five years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of hops, when their volume decreased by -19.4% to X tons. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 612% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons, and then fell dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, hop exports contracted to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 700%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then reduced in the following year.

Exports by Country

France (X tons), Sweden (X tons) and the UK (X tons) were the main destinations of hop exports from Belgium, with a combined 48% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Spain, Italy, Poland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany, which together accounted for a further 41%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Ireland (with a CAGR of +74.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for hop exported from Belgium were France ($X), Sweden ($X) and the UK ($X), with a combined 50% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Italy, Spain, Ireland, Poland, Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany, which together accounted for a further 39%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Ireland, with a CAGR of +80.5%, 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

In 2021, the average hop export price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 13% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, hop export price increased by +24.8% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the average export price increased by 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major foreign markets. In 2021, the countries with the highest prices were Denmark ($X per ton) and France ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Spain ($X per ton) and Italy ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to France (+8.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Hop Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2021, supplies from abroad of hops decreased by -13.4% to X tons for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year rising trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a remarkable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 126%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, hop imports contracted notably to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, enjoyed prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 235%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then fell rapidly in the following year.

Imports by Country

The United States (X tons), Germany (X tons) and Slovenia (X tons) were the main suppliers of hop imports to Belgium, together accounting for 94% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of +19.2%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($X) constituted the largest supplier of hop to Belgium, comprising 70% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 21% share of total imports. It was followed by the Czech Republic, with a 3.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the United States amounted to +25.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+7.1% per year) and the Czech Republic (+21.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average hop import price amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -2% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, hop import price increased by +74.3% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 49% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Slovenia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+10.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

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