The production of hard cheese in Belgium experienced significant fluctuations from 2013 to 2023. Starting from a low of 2.59 thousand metric tons in 2013, the production reached its peak in 2016 at 5.55 thousand metric tons. However, subsequent years saw a decline, with notable drops in 2017, 2019, and 2022. The trend began to stabilize from 2020 onwards, with modest growth year-over-year, reaching 4.06 thousand metric tons in 2023.
Key variations in the past years:
- 2017: -23.06% year-on-year
- 2018: -0.7% year-on-year, 10.36% 5-year CAGR
- 2019: -24.29% year-on-year, -8.59% 5-year CAGR
- 2020: +19% year-on-year, -4.14% 5-year CAGR
- 2022: -6.25% year-on-year, -1.8% 5-year CAGR
- 2023: +4.1% year-on-year, -0.86% 5-year CAGR
Moving forward, the production is forecasted to show modest growth, with values projected to reach 4.84 thousand metric tons by 2028. The 5-year CAGR from 2023 to 2028 is expected to be 2.78%, indicating a steady increase in production levels.
Future trends to watch for include potential changes in consumer preferences, the impact of new production technologies, and the influence of trade policies on cheese imports and exports.
