In Belgium, the acreage of summer cereals and grain maize increased by more than 20.000 hectares in 2022. This was the result of the rise in grain prices and a wet autumn in 2021. More potatoes were also grown again.
This is evident from the agricultural statistics of the Belgian agricultural register Statbel. According to the statistics service, the area of winter grains (with the exception of winter barley) decreased due to the wet autumn of 2021. An increase in the area of winter barley, which has an earlier sowing date than other winter grains, largely compensated for the decrease in winter grains. The area of summer grains and grain maize increased sharply in 2022 as a result of rising grain prices by 20.773 hectares, or a percentage of 38,8%. Due to the high grain prices, a larger portion was left for grain maize and the area of feed maize shrank.
The area of sugar beet also fell again this season, this year by 3,2%, a reduction of 1.764 hectares. The decrease is partly compensated by the cultivation of chicory, which grew by 9,3%, or an increase of 907 hectares. The area of potatoes also increased slightly by 2,6% after a decline in 2021. The area amounts to 83.692 hectares. In 2020, this was more than 87.000 hectares.