Belgium Dairy Market Overview

Belgium is recognized for its robust and diverse dairy sector, which has shown notable developments in recent times. As of June 2023, the country experienced a significant increase in raw milk prices, indicating a strong performance in the dairy market.

Key Metrics

Number of Dairy Cattle/Year: Approximately 500,000

Milk Production Volume/Year: Around 4 billion liters

Milk Processing Volume/Year: Approximately 3.5 billion liters

Cheese Production Volume/Year: Estimated 1.2 million tons

The Volume of Milk Powder and Whey Production/Year: Around 500,000 tons of milk powder and 250,000 tons of whey

Major Dairy Enterprises

• FrieslandCampina
• Milcobel
• Lactalis
• Danone
• Belgomilk

Notable Dairy Farms

• Farm A: Known for its organic milk production
• Farm B: Specializes in high-quality cheese production
• Farm C: Pioneer in sustainable dairy farming practices

Export and Import of Dairy Products

Export of Dairy Products/Year: Approximately 2 billion euros worth of products

Import of Dairy Products/Year: Around 1.5 billion euros worth of products

Significant Events in the Belgian Dairy Industry

The most notable event recently has been the increase in raw milk prices as of June 2023. This unprecedented rise indicates a strong market demand and significant developments within the industry, driven by both domestic consumption and international exports.

Another significant event is the strategic decision by the Belgian dairy cooperative Milcobel to divest its subsidiary, Ysco, an ice cream manufacturer, to Davidson Kempner Capital Management. This decision could have a notable impact on the industry. Belgian dairy co-operative Milcobel has made headlines with its decision to sell its private-label ice cream division, YSCO.

The first Lely Orbiter in Belgium was launched at Bart Vanderstraeten and Marijke d'Hertefelt's farm in Merchtem, Flemish Brabant.

Arla Foods is owned by more than 8400 farmers from Denmark, Sweden, the UK, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

Modified: 2024/10/09

---