Dried shelled legumes market in Libya

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for dried shelled legumes in Libya dropped sharply from 63 663 tons in 2018 to 24 879 tons in 2019. This contraction was driven primarily by a collapse in imports, which fell from 49 250 tons to 10 459 tons. The decline coincided with the fragmentation of vegetable markets in Tripoli due to liquidity shortages, weak oversight, and foreign labor dominance, which reduced purchase volumes. Ineffective regulation by municipalities also allowed unlicensed intermediaries to tighten control over supply chains, creating price gaps and disrupting the flow of imported agricultural goods.

From 2020 onward, the market began to recover, reaching 51 584 tons by 2022. This expansion took place despite external headwinds. Geopolitical tensions around the Strait of Hormuz led to more expensive nitrogen fertilizer imports, raising production costs. In 2021, the market faced steep price increases for vegetables and fruits due to high import dependence and the cessation of government subsidies for fertilizers, while smuggling to Tunisia further strained domestic supply. Nevertheless, imports of dried legumes rose steadily, driving the market's rebound.

By 2023, the market volume stabilized at 51 031 tons. This stabilization occurred alongside growing reliance on imported fertilizers, whose prices had surged over 40% because of ongoing supply-chain disruptions. Depreciation of the Libyan dinar added further pressure on import costs and production expenses.

Production dried shelled legumes in Libya

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, Libya's production of dried shelled legumes increased in 2020. The country produced 14 780 tonnes that year, marking a modest 2.5% rise compared to 2019. Production had reached its lowest point in 2019 at 14 420 tonnes, while the largest annual decrease occurred in 2018 at 0.8%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Libya

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, Libya's exports of dried shelled legumes were almost exclusively directed to India, which accounted for 100.0% of total export volumes.

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

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

During the 2017–2020 period, India held a complete monopoly on the value of Libya's dried shelled legume exports, capturing 100.0% of the total.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Libya

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Import volumes hit their lowest point in 2019 at 10 459 tonnes and peaked in 2018 at 49 250 tonnes, representing a 4.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Libya imported {value_last_year} tonnes of dried shelled legumes, a 62.4% increase year-over-year. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 78.8%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 188.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, Turkey, and India were consistently the main sources for Libya's imports of dried shelled legumes by volume. Egypt accounted for 43.2% of imports, Turkey for 27.9%, and India for 12.1%, together making up 83.3% of total import flows.

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

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. The value of imports reached its minimum in 2019 at 8 021 thousand US dollars and its maximum in 2018 at 49 818 thousand US dollars, with a 6.2-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Libya imported {value_last_year} thousand US dollars worth of dried shelled legumes, a 94.5% rise compared to the previous year. The largest annual decrease was in 2019 at 83.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 220.8%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Egypt, Turkey, and India formed the core group of markets for Libya's imports of dried shelled legumes by value. Egypt represented 40.2% of import value, Turkey 31.5%, and India 14.0%, collectively accounting for 85.6% of total import flows.

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

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