Based on the provided forecast data for horse meat slaughtering in Belgium, the number of heads is expected to decrease significantly from 3.1 thousand in 2024 to 1.4 thousand in 2028. In comparison, the actual number of heads in 2023 stood at 3.51 thousand. The year-on-year variation from 2024 to 2025 shows a reduction of 14.19%, from 2025 to 2026 a reduction of 16.17%, from 2026 to 2027 a reduction of 18.83%, and from 2027 to 2028 a reduction of 22.10%. Over the entire forecasted period from 2024 to 2028, the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) indicates an average yearly decrease of 18.33%.
Future trends to watch for in the horse meat industry include changes in consumer preferences, evolving animal welfare regulations, and potential shifts in the economic and agricultural policies within Belgium. These factors could further influence the decline or stabilize the number of heads processed for horse meat in the coming years.
