Citrus fruit market in Libya

Earlier Report Observations

The citrus fruit market in Libya showed relative stability from 2018 to 2023, with total volume fluctuating between 168 and 175 thousand tons. Domestic production grew gradually over this period, reaching 171.9 thousand tons in 2023. Imports varied considerably, peaking at 5.6 thousand tons in 2021 before declining sharply.

In 2024, the Libyan government implemented significant support measures for farmers, focusing on orange cultivation by providing water and agricultural inputs at suitable prices to encourage investment. A new fruit and vegetable market was established in Sirte to improve distribution and counter price increases. Earlier, reports from 2018 highlighted broader challenges in the vegetable market of Tripoli, such as a liquidity crisis and lack of oversight, which reflected ongoing difficulties in the agricultural sector that may have influenced the market environment.

Production citrus fruit in Libya

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

Libya produced 169,020 tonnes of citrus fruit in 2020, representing a slight decrease of 0.7% compared to the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 168,180 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 170,160 tonnes. The most significant year-on-year growth was observed in 2019, when production rose by 1.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Libya in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports citrus fruit from Libya

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Libya exported 12 tonnes of citrus fruit, showing minimal change from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 1,043.1%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 125.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Libya in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates was the overwhelmingly dominant market for Libya's citrus fruit exports in volume terms, accounting for 92.0% of total shipments.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Libya in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Libya's citrus fruit exports were valued at 5,000 US dollars in 2020, remaining largely stable compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 467.8%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 78.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Libya in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017-2020, the United Arab Emirates and the Netherlands together accounted for 100.0% of Libya's citrus fruit export value, capturing the entirety of these trade flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Libya in value, 2017-2020

Imports citrus fruit to Libya

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 467 tonnes, then peaked in 2020 at 2,476 tonnes, representing a 5.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports increased by 45.4% year-over-year. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018 with a 10.4% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 264.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Libya in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Tunisia was by far the primary source for Libya's citrus fruit imports in volume terms, representing 93.8% of total incoming shipments.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Libya in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Libya's citrus fruit import value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 1,845,000 US dollars, marking a dramatic 61.4% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 854.8%, equivalent to a compound annual growth rate of 112.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Libya in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Tunisia played a dominant role in Libya's citrus fruit import value, consistently accounting for 92.7% of total incoming trade flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Libya in value, 2017-2020