Page 35 - AA 2022 YEAR BOOK

Libya

SLIGHTLY BELOW-AVERAGE CEREAL PRODUCTION

HARVESTED IN 2021

Planting of the 2022 winter grain crops revenues and national imports.
concluded in mid-November. Since Oil production decreased from Production (tonnes) of some agricultural
the start of the season from September 1.1 million barrels per day in commodities in Libya (2019-2020)
up to mid-November, rainfall amounts 2019 to less than 100 000 barrels Item Value Flag Value Flag
in the main producing areas along the in September 2020. In the first Almonds, with shell 34660 Im 34688 Im
coast were above average. Following the half of 2021, oil production Apples 16539 Im 16264 Im
ceasefire agreement in October 2020, returned to the levels of 2019. Apricots 25954 Im 25990 Im
the security situation in the country Barley 70000 * 70000 *
improved facilitating farmers’ access to In January 2021, the Central Beans, dry 1164 Im 1168 Im
Cabbages and other
the fields, but risks of military crashes Bank devaluated the national brassicas 4708 Im 4733 Im
remain. Farmers report that power cuts currency from about LYD 1.412/ Carrots and turnips 33701 Im 33751 Im
and high prices of inputs, including USD to LYD 4.48/USD, decreasing Caulif owers and 7761 Im 7743 Im
seeds, water, fuel, machinery, continue the gap between the official and broccoli
Cucumbers and
to constrain their ability to cultivate land. parallel market rates. gherkins 8664 Im 8601 Im
Agricultural production is constrained As of late November 2021, USD Dates 176497 Im 177629 Im
Eggplants
by geography: only about 12 percent of 1 sold for LYD 4.64 officially, and (aubergines) 2957 Im 2901 Im
the total area of 15.4 million hectares is LYD 5.04 on the parallel market. Figs 10479 Im 10420 Im
arable. Food security is affected by Fruit, fresh nes 5018 Im 5035 Im
Garlic
4658
4695
Im
Im
the dwindling access to food
Although 470 000 hectares are suitable Grapes 31469 Im 31377 Im
for irrigation, only some 240 000 hectares due to high unemployment Groundnuts, with 16659 Im 16705 Im
rates. In the first six months of
shell
are currently irrigated due to concerns 2021, the food price inflation Lemons and limes 20983 Im 20894 Im
over the depletion of underground water. averaged about 3 percent, Maize 3380 Im 3411 Im
Cereals are cultivated in the coastal contained by ceiling prices set Melons, other (inc. 26458 Im 26475 Im
regions, where rainfed production or by the Ministry of Economy. cantaloupes)
cropping with supplementary irrigation The Ministry of Economy also Olives 173487 Im 172519 Im
Im
188485
188905
Im
Onions, dry
is possible, and in some arid areas establishes wholesale prices: Onions, shallots,
in the south under full irrigation. The in November 2021, the price of green 57154 Im 57746 Im
most commonly grown vegetables are 100 kg of flour for bakeries was Oranges 52795 Im 53349 Im
tomatoes, peppers, onions and leafy set at LYD 190, while bakers Peaches and 14024 Im 14125 Im
nectarines
greens.
report buying flour for LYD 227 Pears 1468 Im 1467 Im
Cereal crop production in 2021 is per quintal from traders due to Peas, dry 5841 Im 5867 Im
6437
6472
estimated at 209 000 tonnes, unchanged shortages of flour at subsidized Peas, green 54785 Im 54538 Im
Im
Plums and sloes
Im
from the previous year and about 5 prices. Potatoes 360217 Im 366749 Im
percent below the average. The country Pumpkins, squash
relies heavily on imports (up to 90 According to the 2021 Libya and gourds 35130 Im 35341 Im
percent) to cover its cereal consumption Humanitarian Needs Overview, Tangerines, mandarins, 10263 Im 10272 Im
clementines, satsumas
requirements (mostly wheat and about 1.3 million people (23 Tobacco,
barley) and changes in domestic cereal percent of the population) are unmanufactured 1243 Im 1259 Im
production have a limited impact on the estimated to be in need of Tomatoes 217176 Im 218205 Im
magnitude of the import requirement. In humanitarian assistance, up Vegetables, fresh nes 73256 Im 73673 Im
the 2021/22 marketing year (July/June), from 0.9 million one year earlier. Vegetables,
the import requirement is projected at It includes 700 000 people leguminous nes 19647 Im 19788 Im
3.2 million tonnes, about the same as in requiring food assistance, a Watermelons 236458 Im 237581 Im
the previous year and close to average. double estimate compared to Wheat 140000 * 130000 *
2020. Im: FAO data based on imputation methodology
Political instability continues Source: FAO Statistical Division 2021
* : Unoff cial f gure
to affect economy despite
positive growth
After a contraction of over 25 percent
year on year in 2020, the economy is
forecast to grow by over 60 percent in
2021, driven by strengthening global oil
prices, improving political stability and
lifting of the domestic oil blockade. The
oil blockade was imposed from January
to October 2020 by militias aligned
with the Libyan National Army, with
a detrimental impact on government
Arab Agriculture 2022 33