RECENT EVOLUTION OF THE CONSUMPTION OF ORGANIC FOOD PRODUCTS IN BELGIUM

Abstract

The consumption of organic food products in Belgium increased significantly andcontinuously between 2008 and 2016, growing from 1.5 % to 3.2% of the totalconsumers’ expenses for fresh food products. Nine percent of Belgian families buyorganic food products at least once per week and represent 60% of the totalexpenses. The total expenses per capita reached nearly 33€ in 2015. The mainexpenses concerned dairy products (6.72 €/capita), vegetables (5.57) and fruits(4.40). These expenses have been globally increasing. The market share of organicproducts considerably varies from one type of food products to another: it is thehighest for meat substitutes (24.6% in 2016) and eggs (14.0%), while it reaches3.0% for dairy products, 6.6% for vegetables and 4.3% for fruits. Thesepercentages have been globally increasing during the last years. Vegetable productshave been proportionally more sold than animal products compared to the situationin the conventional market. Supermarkets and specialized shops are the mostcommon distribution channels, direct sales on farms and open markets remainingmarginal. Families with high income and children and retired people with highincome are those who spend the most on organic food products. This evolution issupported by the Walloon government through the organic farming developmentplan.