In 2023, the employment in the Dairy Products sector in Belgium stood at 6.74 thousand full-time equivalent. Over the past decade, the sector has exhibited varying trends. From 2013 to 2017, employment saw a declining trend, hitting a low point in 2016. A significant uptick in employment occurred in 2018 with a 16.99% year-on-year increase. Since then, the sector has experienced steady growth, with year-on-year increases ranging from 0.78% to 0.83% from 2019 to 2022.

For future trends, forecasts predict continued growth in employment, with the sector expected to reach 6.99 thousand full-time equivalents by 2028. The 5-year CAGR forecast anticipates an average annual growth rate of 0.59%, leading to a total 5-year growth rate of 3% by 2028.

Future trends to watch for:

Technology advancements: Automation and AI could influence employment needs in both directions.
Demand for dairy alternatives: Emerging trends in plant-based products may affect traditional dairy employment.
Regulatory changes: EU policies on dairy production and labor laws could impact employment rates.