The whole fresh goat milk producing population in Belgium experienced a notable increase from 14.5 thousand heads in 2013 to 66.9 thousand heads in 2023. This represents a strong growth trend, particularly remarkable between 2013 and 2017, with the year-on-year growth peaking at 55.13% in 2015. However, from 2018 onwards, the growth rate started to decelerate, with the most recent year-on-year growth at 4.65% in 2023. Over the last five years, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) has averaged at 5.4%. The forecast suggests continued growth, albeit at a slower pace with a five-year CAGR of 2.99%, resulting in a producing population of 80.87 thousand heads by 2028.
Future trends to watch for include the impact of technological advancements in farming practices on production efficiency, potential policy changes related to agricultural subsidies, and shifts in consumer demand for goat milk products. Additionally, sustainability trends and concerns about environmental impacts could influence production methodologies and market, potentially affecting the growth trajectory.
