10 Most Produced Agricultural Commodities from Belgium
10 Most Produced Agricultural Commodities from Belgium- Based on the FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), there are 10 most produced agricultural commodities from Belgium. Specifically, with the large number of harvested commodities, this agriculture commodities have many roles but commonly it is consumed by Belgium People and some of the harvested commodities are exported to other nations.
Relating to economic aspects, Belgium has grown into one of the world’s wealthiest countries which many characteristics on its culture, people, cuisine, history and many more. Demographically, the population of this country reached 11.7 million by the end of 2023 with unemployment rate of 5.7%. Economically, the total GDP (current price) of Belgium in 2023 achieved USD 627 billion and GDP per capita was in the range of 53 thousand according to IMF database.
According to its sectors, according to CIA, the driver of economic of Belgium can be divided into some sector. Services is the main sector which contributes 77.2% of total economy, followed by industry with contribution around 22.1%. Meanwhile, agriculture sectors just contribute around 0.7%.
Although minor contribution to economic of Belgium, agricultural sectors still have major role in non-economic sectors, which develops the human quality. Basically, agriculture provides foods and beverages, and it can influence how nutritious the food consumed is. More affordable nutritious foods, vegetables, and fruits, the more people can get and fulfil their nutrition to keep their health and productivity while carrying out daily activities. Furthermore, the accessibility of nutritious foods has positive correlation on human intelligence. To support the development of human body and brains, food is the source of nutritious substances that body need. So, agriculture still become the important aspects in human aspects.
By the way, here is the rank of 10 Most Produced Agricultural Commodities from Belgium in 2021. All the data came from FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT) in 2023.
The Rank of 10 Most Produced Agricultural Commodities from Belgium in 2021
| Ranks | Agricultural Commodities From Belgium | Production in 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| (Tons) | ||
| 1 | Sugar beet | 4,549,960 |
| 2 | Raw milk of cattle | 4,434,000 |
| 3 | Potatoes | 3,871,470 |
| 4 | Wheat | 1,629,180 |
| 5 | Meat of pig with the bone, fresh or chilled | 1,140,090 |
| 6 | Lettuce and chicory | 564,850 |
| 7 | Maize (corn) | 449,890 |
| 8 | Meat of chickens, fresh or chilled | 447,710 |
| 9 | Carrots and turnips | 387,000 |
| 10 | Pears | 355,680 |
Source : FAOSTAT, 2023 | ||
Brief Description of 10 Most Produced Agricultural Commodities from Belgium
1. Sugar beet
Sugar beet still become the most produced agricultural commodities with output of sugar beet reaching 4,549,960 tons. According to Statbel (Statistical Instituion in Belgium), the main cultivation areas of sugar beet located in arrondissements administratifs / administrative districts of Nivelles with total areas reaching 6,276 hectares (ha), followed by Namur (5,033 hectares (ha)), Tournai-Mouscron (4,424 hectares (ha)), Waremme (3,124 hectares (ha)), and Ath (3,080 hectares (ha)). Functionally, most of Sugar beets are processed into sugar. The residues from this processed are also used for: Fodder, Alcohol, Biogas, Bioethanol, Industrial purposes.
2. Raw milk of cattle
Milk also become one of the most important livestock products in Belgium and the dairy farming locating in some areas. Statistically, according to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of raw milk achieved 4,434,000 tons. Geographically, according to database, the main areas of dairy farming in Belgium can located in Verviers with total dairy areas around 561 hectares (ha), Turnhout (548 hectares (ha)), and Anvers (314 hectares (ha)). Based on the milk products, the products from milk can be processed into several types including milk drinks and chocolate milk, cream, fermented milk and yoghurt, cheese, butter.
3. Potatoes
Potatoes has huge production in Belgium. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database, the production of Potatoes from Belgium reached 3,871,470 tons. In Belgium, potatoes are usually processed into French fries, purees, chips, flakes, granules, and pre-cooked products. According to Statbel (Statistical Instituion in Belgium), the potatoes in Belgium basically can be divided into early potatoes and ware potatoes. Geographically, the cultivation areas of early potatoes located in Bruges with total areas around 1,433 hectares (ha), Dixmude 1,235 hectares (ha), and Tielt 841 hectares (ha). Meanwhile, the main cultivation areas of ware potatoes in Belgium spread across Nivelles with total areas reaching 6,443 hectares (ha), followed by Ypres (6,296 hectares (ha)), Tournai-Mouscron (5,842 hectares (ha)), Ath (4,134 hectares (ha)).
4. Wheat
Wheat also has huge production in Belgium. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Wheat from Belgium reached 1,629,180 tons. According to Statbel (Statistical Instituion in Belgium), the main cultivation areas of wheat located in arrondissements administratifs / administrative districs of Nivelles with total cultivation areas of wheat reaching 19,364 hectares (ha), followed by Namur (16,742 hectares (ha)), Tournai-Mouscron (11,291 hectares (ha)), and Ath (10,371 hectares (ha)).
5. Meat of pig with the bone, fresh or chilled
Meat of Pig also one of the most consumed meats in Belgium. Based on the FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of pig meat reached 1,140,090 tons. Geographically, the main areas of pig farmings in Belgium located in Tielt with areas around 7,171 hectares (ha), Turnhout 6,743 hectares (ha), Ypres 6,069 hectares (ha), and Dixmude 5,037 hectares (ha).
6. Lettuce and chicory
In the year of 2021, Lettuce and Chiccory production in Belgium reached 564,850 tons. Many chicories can be consumed as Salad. Based Statbel database, the main cultivation areas of wheat in Belgium located in arrondissements administratifs (administrative districs) of Nivelles with total cultivating areas of chicory reaching 2,463 hectares (Ha), Namur (1,113 hectares (Ha)), Tongeren (1,020 hectares (Ha)), and Tournai-Mouscron (954 hectares (Ha)).
7. Maize (corn)
In Belgium, the production of maize / corn reached 449,890 tons in 2021. Based Statbel (Statistical Instituion in Belgium) database, the main cultivation areas of maize (corn) in Belgium located in arrondissements administratifs (administrative districs) of Turnhout with cultivating areas achieving 16,761 hectares (Ha), Gand (12,070 hectares (Ha)), Maaseik (9,601 hectares (Ha)), Anvers (8,260 hectares (Ha)). Commonly, In Belgium, Maize can be used as animal feed and some of them can be processed in starch.
8. Meat of chickens, fresh or chilled
Meat of Chicken is one of the most consumed meats in Belgium. Statistically in 2021, according to FAOSTAT database, the production meat of chicken reached 447,710 tons. Commonly, besides to fulfil its domestic consumptions, Belgium also exported its chicken products to Netherlands, France, and Germany. The areas of poultry industry can be found in some areas. Geographically, according to Statbel database, the main areas of poultry farming in Belgium can be found in Turnhout with areas around 106,626 hectares (ha), Ypres 44,878 hectares (ha), Anvers 44,653 hectares (ha), Tielt 41,954 hectares (ha), and Maaseik 38,671 hectares (ha).
9. Carrots and turnips
Carrots and turnips also had huge production in Belgium. Statistically, the production of Carrots and Turnips reached 387,000 tons. Commonly, the carrots in Belgium can be processed into some Belgian cuisines including Belgian Carrots, Roasted Carrots, and Glazed Belgian Carrots.
10. Pears
Pears still becomes one of the most consumed fruits in Belgium. Statistically, the production of Pears in Belgium reached 355,680 tons in 2021. According to Statbel (Statistical Instituion in Belgium), the main pear orchards located in arrondissements administratifs / administrative districs of Hasselt with total pear orchards reaching 2,803 hectares (ha), followed by Tongeren (2,528 hectares (ha)), and Louvain (2,512 hectares (ha)).
The Summary of 10 Most Produced Agricultural Commodities from Belgium in 2021
Bibliography of 10 Most Produced Agricultural Commodities from Belgium
International Monetary Fund. 2023.BEGIUM WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK (OCTOBER 2023). Available at: https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/profile/BEL
CIA. The World Factbook (Belgium). Available at: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/belgium/#economy
STATBEL.2023. Farm and horticultural holdings. Available at: https://statbel.fgov.be/en/themes/agriculture-fishery/farm-and-horticultural-holdings#figures