Preserved olives market in Libya

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for preserved olives in Libya fluctuated between 90 577 tons and 98 631 tons from 2018 to 2022, before falling to 84 152 tons in 2023. The initial level in 2018 reflected a substantial raw material base from millions of olive trees, though the impact of conflict and an oil-reliant economy began to pressure agricultural output.

By 2022, official recommendations for olive harvesting aimed at quality improvement did not prevent a market contraction. International awards for Libyan olive oil in 2023 enhanced product prestige, yet the preserved olives market continued to shrink. In 2024, economic and currency factors sharply reduced olive oil production, while export restrictions on olives in neighboring countries introduced supply chain uncertainties for preserved olives.

Production preserved olives in Libya

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Libya ranked as the 10th largest producer of preserved olives globally.

Top producers of preserved olives, 2017-2020

World map of production of preserved olives, 2017-2020

In 2020, Libya produced 82 758 tonnes of preserved olives, showing little change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 5%, with an average annual decline of 1.7%. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 82 575 tonnes and peaked in 2018 at 91 373 tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, falling by 9.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 4.9%.

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

Exports preserved olives from Libya

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Libya exported 0.3 tonnes of preserved olives, marking a sharp year-over-year decline of 97.6%. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 98.1%, with an average annual decrease of 73.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Malaysia and Kuwait together accounted for 88.4% of Libya's preserved olive exports by volume, with the remainder distributed across various other markets.

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

Libya's preserved olive exports in 2020 were valued at 1 000 US dollars, down 87.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 89.7%, with an average annual decline of 53.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Malaysia and Kuwait were the primary markets for Libya's preserved olive exports in value terms, jointly representing 89.8% of total exports, while other destinations held smaller shares.

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

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

Imports preserved olives to Libya

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed volatility during the observed period. In 2020, Libya imported 7 819 tonnes of preserved olives, a 40.0% decrease from 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 5 280 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 13 041 tonnes, creating a 2.5-fold difference between these years. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 42.7%, and the most significant increase was in 2019, rising by 147.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt was the leading supplier of preserved olives to Libya, accounting for 77.9% of total imports by volume, with the rest sourced from various other countries.

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 displayed an unstable trend over this timeframe. In 2020, Libya imported preserved olives worth 15 743 000 US dollars, a sharp 30.2% drop from 2019. The lowest value was in 2018 at 10 013 000 US dollars, and the highest was in 2019 at 22 553 000 US dollars, resulting in a 2.3-fold gap. The most substantial decrease was in 2018, down 43.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019, up 125.2%.

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

Over 2017-2020, Egypt consistently represented 78.3% of Libya's preserved olive imports by value, highlighting a high reliance on this market, with the remainder spread among other countries.

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

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