Maize market in Libya

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, Libya's maize market volume exhibited considerable volatility, largely driven by import dependency. In 2018, the market reached 751 thousand tonnes, with domestic production accounting for only 3.6 thousand tonnes, reflecting the country's traditional reliance on imported food. The following year, the imposition of duties on foreign currency sales helped curb inflation but reduced farmers' purchasing power, contributing to a market contraction to 622 thousand tonnes. The COVID‑19 pandemic in 2020 heightened food‑security concerns, prompting a surge in imports that pushed the market volume to 774 thousand tonnes, even as local output dipped slightly due to the ongoing armed conflict.

From 2021 to 2023, external shocks and domestic pressures continued to shape the market. In 2021, rising unemployment, food‑price inflation and a government‑imposed price ceiling dampened demand, shrinking the market to 609 thousand tonnes. The Russia‑Ukraine crisis in 2022 – which affected the source of 72% of Libya’s maize imports – triggered inflationary pressure and higher food prices, leading to increased import volumes of 739 thousand tonnes and a market recovery to 743 thousand tonnes. The following year saw the first appearance of corn smut disease, a serious agricultural epidemic that threatened national food security; this development coincided with a sharp drop in imports to 513 thousand tonnes, pulling the market volume down to 517 thousand tonnes despite a modest rise in domestic production to 4.0 thousand tonnes.

In 2024, maize imports climbed to 873 thousand tonnes, supported by ongoing contracts with Russian and Ukrainian suppliers as well as local initiatives to upgrade seed quality and acquire modern farming equipment, aiming to enhance the resilience of the agricultural sector.

Production maize in Libya

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Libya's maize production declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 3 610 tonnes, but then fell to 3 411 tonnes in 2020, marking a 5.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 2.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.0%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 1.7%.

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

Exports maize from Libya

Exports in kind, K t

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania was the exclusive destination for Libya's maize exports in kind, accounting for 100.0% of the total volume shipped.

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, M $ US

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Romania was the sole buyer of maize from Libya in value terms, capturing 100.0% of total export revenues.

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

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

Imports maize to Libya

Imports in kind, K t

Libya's maize imports in kind reached 770.4 thousand tonnes in 2020, representing a substantial 24.5% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 span, imports grew by 44.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, when imports fell by 17.5%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018, with a 40.4% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Ukraine held the dominant position in Libya's maize imports in kind, accounting for 72.9% of the total volume. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller trading 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, M $ US

In 2020, the value of Libya's maize imports amounted to 138.6 million US dollars, reflecting a 38.6% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import values rose by 67.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.7%. The most notable decline was in 2019, when values dropped by 18.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 48.8% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine and Romania together accounted for 85.9% of the total value of Libya's maize imports. The remaining portion was thinly spread across other markets.

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

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