Watermelons and melons market in Libya

Earlier Report Observations

The Libyan watermelons and melons market began the period at 262.8 thousand tons in 2018, with a slight increase to 263.6 thousand tons in 2019. This initial stability occurred under a market framework where the National Company for Markets controlled the distribution of consumer goods at suitable prices, aiming to improve market performance through decisions of the People's Committee. Concurrently, vegetable markets in Tripoli faced issues like a lack of oversight and poor hygiene, influenced by foreign labor dominance, which affected the regulation of the fruit and vegetable sector including watermelons and melons. However, the market volume declined to 246.9 thousand tons in 2020.

Market recovery started in 2021, with volume rising to 269.7 thousand tons and further climbing to a peak of 284.1 thousand tons in 2022. This growth phase was supported by the Ministry of Agriculture's dissemination of an advisory bulletin to farmers in 2021, focusing on solving flowering and fruit-setting problems in watermelons and melons by addressing factors like temperature and water balance, which helped improve crop quality and yield.

The market contracted to 259.4 thousand tons in 2023. By 2024, key factors shaping the sector included a 25% to 40% surge in fertilizer prices due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and exchange rate effects, raising agricultural production costs. Additionally, the vegetable and fruit market in Libya was largely run by illegal migrant traders from Egypt and Sudan, leading to a monopoly in the wholesale and retail trade of watermelons and melons and pushing up prices. Imports of watermelons and melons reached 6.2 thousand tons in 2024, a notable increase from the previous year.

Production watermelons and melons in Libya

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

In 2020, Libya produced 246.1 thousand tons of watermelons and melons, marking a moderate 5.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 7.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.7%. The only increase during this timeframe occurred in 2019, when production rose by 0.2%.

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

Exports watermelons and melons from Libya

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market structure was highly concentrated, with Tunisia accounting for 100.0% of Libya's total exports in kind.

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

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Tunisia remained the overwhelmingly dominant buyer of watermelons and melons from Libya, representing 100.0% of 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 watermelons and melons to Libya

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 16-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Libya imported 757 tons of watermelons and melons from abroad, representing an 83.0% decrease from the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 447 tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 1 366.0% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import partner base in kind was extremely narrow, with Tunisia responsible for 99.4% of total flows.

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 performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2017 and reached their highest in 2019, with an 18-fold variation between these years. In 2020, the value of watermelons and melons imported by Libya totaled 272 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp 83.6% decline from the prior year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 658 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 1 024.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of imports in value terms revealed strong dependence on Tunisia, which absorbed 98.4% of total flows.

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

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