Edible brassicas market in Libya

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for edible brassicas in Libya showed moderate fluctuations. In 2018, the market was characterized by the growing presence of foreign traders, primarily from Egypt and Sudan, who influenced distribution and pricing, alongside a liquidity crisis that reduced consumer purchasing power. Despite these challenges, the market volume increased to 12 941 tonnes in 2019, then slightly declined to 12 743 tonnes in 2020.

The period from 2021 to 2023 saw more pronounced changes. In 2021, the market volume dropped to 12 648 tonnes, partly due to the cessation of state subsidies for farmers, which had been cut after austerity measures announced by the central bank in 2015, reducing agricultural production capacity. A sharp rise in global food prices also affected local costs. In 2022, the market surged to 13 544 tonnes, driven by a spike in imports to over 1 000 tonnes. However, in 2023, imports fell back, leading to a market volume of 13 133 tonnes.

For 2024, several developments were reported, including the announcement of a new vegetable and fruit market in Sirte to improve distribution infrastructure, a sharp increase in fertilizer prices due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, and new ministerial decrees on re-export bans and updated trademark registration, along with fresh produce guidelines from the General Standards Authority introducing packaging and labeling requirements. Official market volume data for 2024 was not available at the time of reporting.

Production edible brassicas in Libya

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

World map of production of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

Libya produced 12 470 tons of edible brassicas in 2020, marking a 1.8% decrease from the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 12 440 tons, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 12 700 tons. The most significant year-over-year growth was recorded in 2019 at 2.1%.

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

Exports edible brassicas from Libya

Industry analysis confirms that Libya did not export any edible brassicas between 2017 and 2020.

Imports edible brassicas to Libya

Imports in kind, t

The market showed considerable volatility during this period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 110.3 tons, with the largest decline that year at 19.5%. They then surged by 118.2% in 2019, reaching their peak in 2020 at 272.7 tons—a 13.3% increase from 2019 and a 2.5-fold difference from the 2018 low.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tunisia was the dominant source for Libya's imports in kind, representing 87.8% of total flows. Other markets contributed smaller shares, forming a long tail of minor partners.

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

Market behavior was volatile throughout these years. Imports in value terms bottomed out in 2018 at 40.1 thousand US dollars, experiencing the largest decline of 18.4% that year. They rebounded sharply in 2019 with a 131.0% increase, peaking in 2020 at 118.9 thousand US dollars—a 28.4% rise from 2019 and a threefold difference from the 2018 low.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Tunisia consistently served as the primary destination for Libya's imports in value terms, accounting for 85.1% of total flows. The remainder was spread across various smaller markets.

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

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