Peaches and nectarines market in Libya, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market for peaches and nectarines in Libya experienced notable volatility between 2018 and 2023, shaped by deep-seated structural issues in trade and production. Foreign labor, particularly from Egypt and Sudan, dominated wholesale and retail channels due to a persistent absence of government regulation and official price controls. This dominance by non-Libyan traders reinforced the market's heavy reliance on imported fruit, influencing overall volume swings.

A liquidity crisis in 2018 constrained purchasing power, while weak flexibility in the domestic production apparatus limited local supply growth. By 2021, rising prices driven by high distribution costs and weak oversight were accompanied by consumer fears over the safety of imported peaches following past poisoning incidents. The poor competitiveness of local produce, which failed to meet consumer expectations on quality and price, further entrenched import dependency and supported market growth in 2022.

Market volume fell sharply in 2020, coinciding with these regulatory and structural weaknesses, then recovered through 2022 before a moderate contraction in 2023. Import levels were the primary driver of these fluctuations, as domestic production remained relatively stable throughout the period.

Production peaches and nectarines in Libya

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of peaches and nectarines, 2017-2020

World map of production of peaches and nectarines, 2017-2020

Libya's production of peaches and nectarines saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2020, the country produced 14 238 tonnes, which was 1.1% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 2.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 14 400 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 1.8%.

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

Exports peaches and nectarines from Libya

Marketing research indicates that Libya did not export any peaches or nectarines between 2017 and 2020.

Imports peaches and nectarines to Libya

Imports in kind, t

After rising for two years, Libya's imports of peaches and nectarines declined. In 2020, imports totaled 5 329 tonnes, representing a sharp 46.3% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 10.1%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 3.5%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 9 919 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 47.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tunisia effectively monopolized Libya's imports of peaches and nectarines, accounting for 99.4% of total import volumes.

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 showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the value of imported peaches and nectarines amounted to 3 632 thousand US dollars, marking an abrupt 45.2% decline from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 624 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 121.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Tunisia clearly dominated Libya's imports of peaches and nectarines in value terms, accounting for 99.4% 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