Belgium witnessed a dramatic 42.6% reduction in the cultivation of spring cereals in 2023, according to a report released by the federal statistics office, Statbel, on Wednesday.
The decline in spring wheat and barley cultivation underscores the severe impact of weather anomalies on the country’s agricultural sector over the past year.
The report highlights a significant contraction in the area dedicated to spring cereals, with Flanders experiencing a 55% drop and Wallonia seeing a 36.2% decrease.
Nationally, the cultivation of grain maize also declined by 16.3%. Despite the overall decrease, Wallonia remains the primary region for spring cereals, accounting for 73.2% of the total, while Flanders dominates grain maize production with 86.8% of the national total.
The adverse weather conditions also contributed to a broader decline in agricultural operations. The number of agricultural holdings fell by 2.7% to 34,249, and the overall agricultural area saw a slight reduction of 0.6% compared to the previous year.
In contrast to the downturn in spring cereals, the cultivation of winter cereals experienced notable growth in 2023. Statbel attributes this increase to more favorable weather conditions during the spring of 2022, which benefited the winter cereal crops.
This trend reflects a broader resilience in certain agricultural sectors despite the challenges faced.
The report also notes positive developments in vegetable cultivation. The area dedicated to root and tuber crops, including carrots and onions, saw an increase of 1.3% in 2023.
This growth contrasts with a decrease in fruit tree cultivation, which fell by 4.6% overall. Specific declines were observed in apple and pear production, with apples down by 10.1% and pears by 2.4%.
The implementation of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP 2023-2027) also influenced land use patterns in 2023.
The proportion of fallow land increased by 7.8%, reflecting the policy’s emphasis on biodiversity conservation, as well as improvements in soil and water quality.
The statistical insights provided by Statbel offer a comprehensive view of Belgium’s agricultural landscape for 2023.
The significant decline in spring cereals highlights the vulnerability of agriculture to weather-related challenges, while the growth in winter cereals and vegetables points to areas of resilience and adaptation within the sector.
The shift in land use and the impact of the new CAP policies further underscore the evolving priorities and practices in Belgian agriculture.
