the market for local products | Belgium

1.1 Definition

Local products refer to food products considered as an integral part of Belgian gastronomy, with a traditional and local component.

The market for local products is characterised by a diversity of products (dairy products, meat, fruit and vegetables, etc.) and a large number of players with a high competitive intensity (private label, agri-food giants, local producers, innovative SMEs, etc...)

In the local produce market, the performance of local companies depends heavily on consumers' commitment to these products, while at the same time attracting customers across borders. In addition, the quality of the products and the manufacturing process must be identical in order to preserve the "signal" sent, which is facilitated by the introduction of a label.

The challenge for players in the local produce sector remains to acquire a public recognition like the big names in delicatessen.