Agrifood

Agricultural activities occupy a significant part of the region’s land, 44% of Wallonia’s territory is dedicated to agriculture. The agricultural land is used in a mix of ways: permanent grassland, cereals, fodder crops, industrial crops (like potatoes, sugar beets, etc.), horticulture, etc. About livestock, Wallonia counts roughly 6 612 farms with at least 10 bovines. The average herd size per holding is 153 heads. Agricultural activities remain a major land-use and economic activity in Wallonia, beyond just the industrial processing side.

Wallonia’s agri-food sector is diverse and mature, with both large export-oriented companies and many SMEs and artisanal producers. A significant portion of activity depends on local agriculture, including livestock (cattle, poultry, pigs) and crop production. Employment in the food industry is mainly concentrated in SMEs, although large companies contribute significantly to exports and turnover. From the traditional Belgian waffles to the well-known frozen fries and the delicious Belgian chocolate, Food Lovers will always find what they are looking for.

More than 60% of the food produced in Wallonia come from its own agriculture. As of 2023, Wallonia counts over 2,000 organic farms, representing about 16% of all farms in the region.

The agricultural area under organic cultivation reaches about 92,375 hectares, which corresponds to roughly 12.5% of the total agricultural area and makes of the region one of the European leader in organic farming. The organic sector has grown considerably over the last two decades (number of farms and surfaces have more than doubled), though 2023 shows a slight decline in number of farms compared to previous years. This trend indicates a growing interest in organic farming and more sustainable agricultural practices in the region.