Belgian agro-food sector at Anuga 2017
The food industry traditionally plays an important role in the Belgian economy. In 2016, Belgium exported goods worth around 359.5 billion euros. About 10.3% of that export is made up of agro-food products. Flanders, the northern part of Belgium, is not only a major producer of food for Belgium itself, but also for its neighbouring countries and for the whole of Europe. So, naturally, the Belgian suppliers of meat, poultry, rabbit and dairy products will be present at Anuga 2017 (7 to 11 October, Cologne, Germany). New in 2017 is that the Belgian meat product specialists are also presenting a joint project at Anuga: Artisan fine meat from Belgium.
Belgian meat suppliers: quality and customised service!
In 2016, Belgium exported almost 702,000 tonnes of fresh and frozen pork worldwide, with a value of almost 1.2 billion euros. Fresh and frozen pork is primarily destined for the German and Polish markets. They represent 36% and 26% of the Belgian export value in pork respectively. Far behind that, in third place, is the United Kingdom which represents 5% of the export value. Belgian pork is loved outside Europe too, with South Korea, China and Australia as the top three destinations.
In addition to the more traditional cuts, offal is also doing very well. The export of offal has risen gradually over the years and in 2016 achieved an export volume of 127,000 tonnes, representing a turnover of almost 92 million euros. China and Hong-Kong head the list of clients in this case. Together, they represent 44% of the Belgian export value of offal.
Belgian beef is also popular with a broad, international public. The Belgian export of beef shows a rising trend, both in terms of volume and value. In 2016, Belgium exported a total of 150,000 tonnes of beef and veal, worth some 683 million euros. This is a sharp increase from the 124,000 tonnes in 2010. The main buyers were France (26%), Netherlands (25%), Germany (19%) and Italy (11%).
Service, quality, freshness and a high return are the aces of the Belgian meat supplier. The customised cuts of Belgian meat are perfect for the most varied production processes. The campaign image for meat export visualises these strengths perfectly and this year underwent a thorough remake. Discover it for yourself at the spacious group stand of the Belgian Meat Office, where almost the entire Belgian meat sector is represented. And you can check out the product quality whilst you’re there, because once again this year, the renowned Coovi hotel school in Anderlecht will be doing the catering at the stand of the Belgian Meat Office.
The beef and pork export companies are under the umbrella of the Belgian Meat Office (Hall 6, E010).
Info: www.belgianmeat.com
The dairy stand
The Belgian export of dairy products has been very stable over the past few years, both in terms of value and volume. In 2016, the total Belgian dairy export amounted to 3.2 billion euros, around 2.1 million tonnes of products. The Belgian dairy specialties that are the most popular abroad are cheese, dairy preparations and butter & milk fat. Together they represent 55% of the export value.
The neighbouring countries are the most important customers. In terms of export value, the Netherlands leads the way with a share of 24%, followed by France (19%) and Germany (13%). Italy (9%) and the United Kingdom (8%) complete the top 5.
Third countries also appreciate Belgian dairy specialities. Around 15% of the export value is achieved outside the EU-28, with Algeria and Indonesia as the main trading partners. European dairy products have become very popular outside Europe in the past decade. That is why Europe is supporting the VLAM campaign ‘White Gold, straight from the heart of Europe’. ‘White Gold’ refers to the premium milk that the Belgian producers deliver that forms the basis of a wide range of dairy specialities.
At the VLAM’s dairy stand, you can meet four export companies (Hall 10, 031G):
• Belgian Butter Design
• INEX NV
• Kaasbrik NV
• Olympia NV
Belgian poultry companies
Over the years, the Belgian export of fresh and frozen chicken has risen. Whilst more volume is exported (almost 450,000 tonnes in 2016), the export value has decreased slightly. In 2016, it came to a total of 695 million euros. The export volumes of chicken offal have also increased with the export value staying pretty much stable.
The main market for Belgian chicken meat is France, representing an export share of 39%, followed by the Netherlands (25%), the United Kingdom (16%) and Germany (7%). Other markets follow far behind, including some remarkable African destinations. Both the DR Congo (sixth place), South Africa (seventh place) and Ghana (eleventh place) have seen export rising during the past few years, even if the export was more limited in 2016. The Philippines are also high on the list of export market for Belgian chicken meat, coming in tenth place.
There are eight companies present to represent the poultry & rabbit sector at Anuga (Hall 9 – 041G):
• Calibra Poultry NV
• Cooreman Pluimveeslachterij NV
• Klaasen & Co NV
• Lonki NV
• Nollens NV
• Paas Food Industries NV
• Van Assche
• Van-O-Bel NV
Belgian fine meat products
Over the years, the Belgian export of fine meat products has experienced a slightly increasing trend. The export volume of fine meats was almost 210,000 tonnes in 2016, which represents an export value of nearly 790 million euros. Almost 90% of that export is made up of meat preparations (not dried or smoked meat). Within this category, the poultry preparations are the most important export products, followed by sausages and preparations with liver.
Once again, the neighbouring countries are the most important markets. Above all the export to the Netherlands (40%) and France (22%) is still on the rise. Germany follows in third place, with some 10% of the export value.
The Belgian suppliers of fine meat products are in Hall 5.2 C-030 – D039 under the umbrella of Flanders Investment and Trade. VLAM is also present to launch a new campaign for fine meats: 'Artisan fine meat from Belgium'.
