Belgium's fresh shellfish production for human consumption in capture fisheries exhibited fluctuating trends from 2013 to 2023. In 2023, the production stood at 1.97 thousand metric tons, which represented a significant decline of 27.97% from the previous year. Over the five years leading to 2023, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) was 3.81%. Despite the variability, future forecasts from 2024 to 2028 indicate a modest upward trend, with an expected 5-year CAGR of 0.55% and an overall growth rate of 2.77%.
Key future trends to watch include:
- Environmental sustainability and regulatory impacts on capture fisheries.
- Advancements in aquaculture technology that may affect market supply.
- Changing consumer preferences towards sustainably sourced seafood.
- Potential impacts of climate change on shellfish habitats.
