Onions and shallots market in Libya

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2022, the market volume for fresh onions and shallots in Libya showed notable fluctuations, peaking at 268 thousand tons in 2019 before declining in subsequent years. Early in the period, reports highlighted deteriorating hygiene and infrastructure in vegetable markets, including a critical lack of cold storage facilities. These deficiencies led to post-harvest losses for producers and forced many to sell at low prices, which may have affected market efficiency despite the overall volume remaining relatively stable.

The market contracted to 247 thousand tons in 2023, a period marked by a sharp 300% price surge for onions due to high demand ahead of Ramadan and constrained supply. To stabilize domestic prices, the government imposed a ban on onion exports from October 2023 until March 2024. The Ministry of Economy concurrently confirmed a major recent increase in onion shipments, which contributed to a gradual moderation of prices by the year's end.

In 2024, the export ban was lifted in April, allowing for increased shipments abroad. However, rising fertilizer prices, driven by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, elevated local production costs and fueled food price inflation. Seasonal Ramadan demand continued to exert pressure on the market, leading to temporary price spikes and influencing trade flows.

Production onions and shallots in Libya

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

World map of production of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

Libya's production of onions and shallots declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 246.7 thousand tons, marking a slight decrease of 0.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 248.3 thousand tons, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 4.2%.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Libya

Exports in kind, t

Libya's exports of onions and shallots totaled 10 tons in 2019, remaining largely unchanged from 2018. Between 2017 and 2019, exports fell by 81.1%, which translates to an annualized decline of 42.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tunisia and Niger together accounted for 100% of Libya's onion and shallot exports in volume terms, highlighting a highly concentrated export market.

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

In 2019, the value of Libya's onion and shallot exports was 3 thousand US dollars, showing minimal change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2019 period, export value dropped by 61.9%, with an average annual decrease of 27.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Tunisia and Niger dominated Libya's onion and shallot exports in value terms, together representing 100% of the total export value.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Libya

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed significant volatility during this period. Import volumes fluctuated sharply, with a threefold difference between the low in 2020 and the high in 2019. In 2020, Libya imported 6 551 tons of onions and shallots, a steep decline of 66.9% from 2019. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 19 810 tons, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 121.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, Turkey, and the Netherlands were the primary sources of Libya's onion and shallot imports in volume terms, together accounting for 93.6% of total imports.

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

Import values experienced notable fluctuations over this timeframe. There was a 3.1-fold difference between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2020. In 2020, the import value of onions and shallots to Libya was 2 238 thousand US dollars, representing a 68.2% decrease from the previous year. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 7 031 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 65.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Egypt, Turkey, and the Netherlands were the main suppliers of onions and shallots to Libya in value terms. Egypt contributed 62.9% of import value, Turkey 16.7%, and the Netherlands 15.5%, together making up 95.1% of total import value.

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

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