The agriculture and forestry sector in Belgium has seen varied trends in the final consumption of anthracite over the past decade. Starting from 12.0 Thousand Metric Tons in 2013, the consumption gradually increased with significant growth periods such as in 2015 (46.15% growth) and a peak in 2016 at 22.0 Thousand Metric Tons. It reached its highest in 2017 at 22.4 Thousand Metric Tons before experiencing fluctuations, with notable declines in 2018 (-8.04%) and 2019 (-18.93%).
By 2023, the anthracite consumption stood at 18.9 Thousand Metric Tons. From 2021 to 2023, the year-on-year variations were modest with growth rates of 5.14%, 1.63%, and 1.07%, demonstrating a trend towards stabilization. The five-year CAGR before 2023 was -1.71%, indicative of a general downward trend in recent years.
Looking forward, the forecast data suggests a gradual increase with the five-year CAGR projected at 0.92% and a forecasted five-year growth rate of 4.69%. This indicates a slow but steady recovery or stabilization in anthracite consumption in this sector.
Future trends to watch for:
- Shifts in energy policies and their impact on anthracite consumption.
- Advancements in alternative energy sources influencing demand.
- Policy changes in the agriculture and forestry sectors that may affect energy consumption patterns.
- Continued fluctuations in global anthracite prices and their impact on the Belgian market.